New Britain herald., 1921-11-29
BUILDING COMM.
 HEARS REPORT
Acting Building Inspector Makes
 Recommendations

building commission and acting build | ing inspector, presented a report to the commission last evening reCom- | mending methods which, he feels, will tend to increase the efficiency of the | building department
 Among other things, the report | gsed the appointment of a perma- nent second electrical inspector and the adoption of electrical and building codes. The report follows: Tn submitting my report as acting building inspector for this month, which terminates my duties as acting building inspector, wish to call your attention to several matters that should be given consideration
 Having served as a member of the board of building commission created by recent charter change, and also as an inspector in the employ of the board and observed the cooperation of the members of the board shown in the past few months I feel that the city will soon have a building de- partment that will rank with any in the state.
 T would call the attention of the |'''NA '~' changes place the responsibility of the state statutes and various ordi- narces of the city on the board of building commission.
 II would recommend that the revis- ion of the building and plumbing ordi- nances be completed as soon as possi- ble. Also immediate adoption of an electrical code.
 f,L chO1ll6 be given these various building codes, so that when we adopt these new ordl- nances we adopt codes taking into con- sideration costs of building, plumbing and electrical work, so that none of these codes will work hardships and discourage the erection of homes and business buildings in our city, but will also protect the lives and health of our citizens.
 Care should be taken to adopt codes that will meet the requirements of our city for years to come and not necessitate a continual revision or these ordinances.
 "A great many of the streets Of our city have no adopted street lines, and question of street lines already adopt ed have caused more or less con1usloh in the past due to these condltlons' This matter has been taken up with Mayor Curtis and l am informed that some action on this matter Will oe taken soon.
 Another matter that should re- ceive attention is the matter ot bulld- ing lines being complied with. would recommend the board of build ing commission make definite ar rangements with the engineering de- nartment of the board of pupLc works for the furnishing of these lines for all new buildings.
 T wish to call your attention 10 condition existing at the present tlme in regards to applications for per mits that have been made in the past few months This department IS 1uf- nished at the present time with a lSt from the board of public WorkS or streets on which we may grant per mits When an application IS made for a permit to build on any street not on this list we are compelled 10 refuse the application, for the reason that the street has not been graueu to the required grade Of the board of public works. Of course the city should not be compelled to grade these streets at a large expense, but a great many holders of these puld- ing lots will be unable to make use of these for building purposes unless some way can be found to remedy conditions so that they may secure building permits.
 The records of the building de- partment show that the past feW years several hundred fire escapes have been erected. Deputy Chief Barnes of the fire department who has been at the head of the fire pre- vention bureau, has co-operated and recommended fire escapes to be plac- ed on various buildings of the city, and calls the attention of this depart Ment to a hazardous condition about the city. This important matter has been taken care of very satisfactorily.
 "A continual inspection of build ings about the city is made by the fire department, but l would recom- mend to the board that the depart ment order a thorough inspection of buildings about the city in order that they comply with Chapter 125 of the Public Acts.
 Your attention is again called to the necessity of providing the cleo trlcal inspector With an aulOlnODlle. The inspectors use at the present time a small truck which is the property of the fire and police department and this arrangement is very unsatisfac- tory.
 "I also wish to call your attention that the second electrical inspector will terminate his services on Janu- ary l, according to the resolution adopted by the common council at the time this inspector was appointed, and the board should take action on this matter at the first meeting in De- cember and take steps to have an or& dinance adopted creating this position.
 T would recommend to the board that filing cabinets and card index systems be purchased for the plumb ing inspector, and electrical inspector, and system similar to that used by the building inspector be adopted,
 The attention of the board of pub lie works should be called by this board in regard to several streets of our city that are duplicated in name, and request that action be taken to remedy this condition.
 T would also recommend that the building department be placed in ,harge of the building inspector when he board is not in session.
 "A great many more recommends