Monthly Report

Zoning/Codes Officer

August 19 – October 17, 2013

Essex Town Board

Essex Planning Board

Week of August 19, 2013:

• Inspect lakeside stair project and issue C of C at Ierardi’s (Crater Club)
• Inspect forms for concrete pour at Cannon Point project (Noyes/Green)
• Permit for outbuilding construction at Elm Street (Jason Flynn and Serge Costella)
• Talk to Greg Snowdon, appraiser, re. town zoning on Jersey Street (Brody/Lorberbaum properties)
• Inspect foundation concrete pour at Cannon Point (Noyes/Green)
• Go over Special Use Permit application on new physical therapy and wellness practice in the former Smith House building with Courtney Hughes/Brian Traskos.  Create 500’ abutters list, copy tax map, check on past APA permits, etc.
• Issued permit to John Doyle for McGraw renovations on Lake Shore Road
• Review complete permit application from Ascent Wellness (Traskos/Anderson) for former Smith House building
• Conversation with Leslie Hearn re. possible uses for her residence on the Middle Road other than single-family residential (house is in Resource Management/Agricultural zoning districts)
• Talked with Mark Walker about a replacement leach field for the stone farmhouse on Leaning Road (Austen Hayes)
• Talked to Mike Pratt re. design for new house on Alden Road, underground power, foundation work, etc.  Reviewed septic design by Mark Buckley and issued permit

Week of August 26, 2013:

• Reviewed JIF to APA from Ascent Wellness (Traskos/Anderson)
• Reviewed two boundary line adjustment applications re. Sheldon Farm (Gary Heurich)
• PB agenda with Pat Tivnan
• Conversation re. new seawall and other improvements at Whallonsbay camp of Fred Brankman
• Review of revised framing plans for Cannon Point camp (Noyes/Green)
• Discussion of new house plans for Jersey Street land with Mark Hall (Barry Needleman), siting, energy conservation measures and ICB foundation
• Continue plan review of Noye/Green camp at Cannon Point

Week of September 3, 2013:

• Copy application materials for planning board meeting
• Discussion with James Graves about additional housing for farmers at Fulland By Farm on Leaning Road
• Discussion with Chad about specs for wood stove installation at Reber Rock Farm on Jersey Street
• Review revised framing (no CLTs) at Cannon Point camp sent by architect Michael Green
• Site visit to new house site at Mike Pratt’s on Alden Road to inspect site and foundation work
• Spoke to Donna Bailey about the Ames House on Bull Run and it’s poor condition and will write letter to homeowner re. same
• Spoke to John Pribble about replacement septic field at Berlin camp on Albee Lane and did an inspection
• Site visit to McGraw renovation project on Lake Shore Road with John Doyle to see new framing, slab work in cellar and plan for new garage
• Planning Board meeting
• Spoke to Robin Pierce re. Smith House and any permitting that they had to get from APA, Town, DOH, etc.

Week of September 9, 2013:

• Site visit to Full and By Farm to look at potential farm housing space in existing barn on east side of Leaning Road and code issues with James Graves
• Site visit to Cannon Point to inspect new wall framing and review electrical and plumbing details
• Speak to Gerry Spooner about problems with septic hookup at Masonic Lodge building
• Site visit to McGraw project on Lake Shore Road re. dormer and new window framing
• Site visit to Ierardi restoration project in the Crater Club re. new brick chimney and Supa-Flu liner system proposed
• Stamp and copy planning board permits

Week of September 16, 2013:

• Building permit application to Anita Shapiro for renovations to their house on Main Street
• Review draft plans and elevations by Mark Hall for new house on Jersey Street (Barry Needleman)
• Building permit for renovations at the former Smith House building on Route 22 and Block House Road issued to Brian Traskos/Courtney Anderson
• Assisted in horse rescue efforts at farm in Essex

Week of September 23, 2013:

• Site visit with Mark Walker to look at soils and location for new leach field at stone farmhouse on Leaning Road (Austen Hayes)

• Review architect’s plans and issue building permit to Anita Shapiro for renovation work at Main Street house
• Review potential uses for second floor of Essex Heritage Center and look at egress thresholds
• Research ICBs for building code compliance for contractor Sean Kullman for new house on Jersey Street (Barry Needleman)

Week of September 30, 2013:

• Specs to Sean Kullman on insulated concrete block foundation requirements re. code compliance
• Nothing for agenda at October Planning Board meeting/cancel meeting
• Site visit to Mike French’s new house on Daniels Road to inspect trusses and windows and discuss next phase of work.  Copy truss construction diagrams for documentation.
• Issued permit to replace leach field at stone farmhouse on Leaning Road (Austen Hayes) and site visit to see installation of new lines, gravel and fill
• Assist Brian Traskos with checklist of items to submit to the APA for an amended permit for the former Smith House building.  Can operate under old permit until permit is amended
• Issued a permit for footers and deck for an accessory cabin at Stuart Brody’s on Jersey Street; will have architect’s plans for framing, etc. in November and will not start on that phase until spring of 2014
• Researched and answered code questions for new house on Jersey Street for contractor Sean Kullman (Barry Needleman)
• Permit application to Martha McGraw for stainless chimney liners at her house on Lake Shore Road¦requested specs/insurance from Slab Hollow who will be doing the work in November

Week of October 7, 2013:

• Final edit of APA permit amendment information for Brian Traskos and make copy for file
• Research if I can issue a C of O for stone farmhouse (Austen Hayes) if no permit was ever issued for œrepairs
• Go over plans for Brick Store renovations with Gerry Spooner (Essex Legacy Trust – Larry Smead) at site
• Fill out and fax request for permit and violations re. the LaPine House on Main Strete (Bacot-Davis)
• Initial review of architectural plans for Needleman house on Jersey Street emailed by Mark Hall
• Review APA amended permit for Sheldon Farm subdivision (Gary Heurich) and circulated to planning board members
• Discussion of political sign placement on public/private property and how to make sure there is compliance with our local ordinance in re. same
• Review Brick Store plans re. fire code compliance¦need 2-hour separation between storefront and living space
• Review Needleman house plans for builidng code and energy code compliance

Week of October 14, 2013:

• Site visit to Brick Store – foam insulation, metal studs, fire separation and exterior siding issues
• Issued permit for ventless propane area heater to the Essex Shipyard for use in the main dining room area of the restaurant¦in compliance with Fuel Gas Code
• Issued permit for installation of fire proof stage curtains at the Whallonsburgh Grange Hall
• Discussed new project with Kevin Hall to put on November planning board meeting agenda
• Talked to Olive Alexander about changing the time of the November PB meeting so as not to be in conflict with Town budget meeting and to poll the board members to make sure we will have a quorum for both November and December meetings
• Check on status of APA permit amendment for Brian Traskos and Courtney Anderson
• Met with Ed Reynolds to inspect the brick repointing work at the Brick Store on Main Street
• Site visit to Mike Pratt’s new house site to inspect septic installation
• Monthly board report completed

August Receipts:                                                       September Receipts:

Codes –  $125.00 for building/sign permits                Codes – $270.00 for building permits

Zoning – $50.00 for PB application fees                    Zoning – $100.00 for PB app fees

Respectfully submitted,

Lauren Murphy