Contractors to be polled to see if new mechanical inspector is needed

Isolated or widespread. That is what District 1 Presque Isle County commissioner Bob Schell wants to know. He has heard some complaints about the state mechanical inspector contracted by the county, but would like to delve into the issue further to find out if two or three contractors are complaining about one project, or if other contractors in the county are having troubles as well. At the September 13 county board meeting, Schell relayed concerns and frustrations regarding the Subway/bakery/car wash project in Onaway. He said the complaints centered on reported poor response time and rude behavior from the state mechanical inspector out of Alpena. He asked the board to consider contracting with an individual from Montmorency County to handle local projects and issue permits.

SCHELL WOULD like to gather more information before any changes are made. He has had discussions with the county?s building and zoning inspector, Jim Zakshesky, the last couple of weeks. Schell said Zakshesky did some research involving allegations made against the state mechanical inspector and ?a lot of the complaints weren?t all his fault.? Schell would like to poll the contractors from the county before proceeding. Zakshesky had been compiling a list of local contractors so further information could be obtained. If needed, a meeting will be conducted. Zakshesky supports retention of the state plumbing and mechanical inspectors. ?But if it ain?t broke, don?t fix it,? said Schell. ?If we have one or two complaints, and those are the only complaints, and the rest of the contractors say it is working for us and we like it the way it is, then I cannot see changing everything. If there are a majority of the contractors who would like to see the county do it locally instead of through the state, we will be glad to work with them.?

BETH BUDNICK, co-owner of John?s Plumbing and Heating of Rogers City, appeared before the county board of commissioners to explain several reasons why the county should retain the state inspectors. ?With state inspectors, we know we have an established chain of command,? Budnik said. ?We know which office to contact if we have questions on permits.? With state inspectors, contractors can apply for permits online. She also said state inspectors receive mandatory training and are up to date on all the codes. ?What will the licensee requirements be with the local inspectors?? said Budnick. ?State plumbing inspectors cannot work in the trade, period. You cannot be a plumbing inspector by day and a contractor by night. Will the county be able to enforce this?” Another issue she asked the board to consider is the 12 months it would take to re-establish the state inspector. ?It takes 12 months before Lansing can get their staff in place,? said Budnick.

There was some talk at the last county board meeting about discontinui

ng the services of the mechanical inspector and contracting with the subject in Montmorency County. Presque Isle County uses separate state inspectors for mechanical and plumbing permits. At the last county board meeting it was reported that the mechanical and plumbing inspector were one in the same. Two departments handle the inspections. Mechanical inspections involve furnaces, fireplaces, air conditioning units, etc. ?Jim?s concern is that it would put a strain on his office, because the permit would be issued out of our office,? said Schell. In addition, the mechanical inspector has been helpful to Zakshesky.

?JIM SAYS that the complaint is rather isolated,? said Schell. ?It is kind of an overreaction for the few complaints that he has had in regard to this mechanical inspector.? Schell did acknowledge that having the permits issued locally would streamline the process and cut down on the plan approval turnaround time, but all the issues will be brought before the local contractors. ?It might be a help to the local contractors because they would not have to send plans into Lansing for review; they could be reviewed locally,? said Schell. ?We are going to talk to all of the contractors and find out if they feel it is a problem.?