Municipality of Barrington building inspector leaving for Argyle job

In addition to his building inspector duties, Andrew Goreham performed fire inspections, enforced bylaws, was the development officer and approved subdivisions for MoB.

He was hired as an assistant to the former building inspector but replaced him in 2001.

Because of his multiple responsibilities, he approached MoB requesting they review his payscale.

“I thought it was a mistake at the time. I indicated I didn’t believe it compared properly to others doing the same work,” he said.

MoB refused to adjust his wage.

When an assistant building inspector job became available in Argyle, at a wage rate higher than what he receives now, Goreham decided to take it. He says his new job will likely entail less work.

“We (MoB) probably issue 300 building permits compared to others that issue half as many permits with twice as many inspectors,” he said.

“It keeps you hopping,” he said in reference to his Barrington job.

Goreham expressed concern at the difficulties MoB may have replacing him.

“With the new regulations that are out, as of Sept. 1, 2008 you have to be a high school graduate and have two years post secondary education before you can even apply to enter into a building official’s position,” he said.

MoB councillor Larry Stewart shared Goreham’s concerns when notice was given to council of the building inspector’s resignation.

“We might have to hire a new building inspector and if he isn’t trained then we are going to have to spend $20,000 to $30,000 to train him and he has to be trained by September 2008. Plus in the meantime we have to bring somebody in to do the building inspections, so it’s probably going to cost us $50,000,” said Stewart.

“Don’t accept his resignation maybe we could ask him if we might be able to give him a little bit of money to get him to stay,” he added.

MoB approved a motion to accept the resignation and Warden Louise Halliday addressed the matter saying that a certified building inspector might be able to be hired right away.

The MoB will be advertising for a new building inspector but meanwhile the Municipality of Shelburne has agreed to share their building inspector on a pay-for-service basis.