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Pretty interesting (and kind of sad) to see the push and pull that exists between the two municipalities, as well as the challenges that exist to working across municipal lines on issues like this and others.
It's fairly easy to imagine what the benefits would be to consolidating the two, but it would be interesting to hear from readers/posters what some of the unseen pitfalls might be
Anyone?
posted by Ted Warren on 01/14/11 at 10:07 AM
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The lack of collaborative spirit hurts us all. We never seem to be able to get past the rock throwing, negativity and cobative attitudes and make positive forward progress an anything. This is not leadership.
posted by Regina McGrade on 01/14/11 at 11:55 AM
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The Village of Highland Falls and the Town of Highlands have operated a shared Building Department since 2002. It can be done without reinventing the wheel. Those municipalities did it by starting small and agreeing to continue as long as the joint service remained mutually beneficial. This is a perfect time to start a dialogue in Cornwall.
posted by Howard Protter on 01/14/11 at 12:23 PM
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I work in the Town of Highlands Building Department. The agreement between the Town of Highlands and the Village of Highland Falls is quite simple and although it took a few years for all the kinks to get worked out, I believe the combined Building Department is now offering both Village and Town some pretty good benefits. Rather than two understaffed departments, there is one adequately staffed department that has been able to obtain the education and certifications necessary to carry out the duties of Code Enforcement...which constantly get more complicated thanks to State mandates.
Over the last few years, the State has really stepped up its expectations of what will be handled by each jurisdiction's code enforcers and the State also demands that a very detailed report be submitted annually that informs the State of any shortcomings in the department's compiance.
Like many jobs, it gets harder every year to keep up with all the updates. Due to the State requirements and the complexity of the codes, the days of part-time Building Inspectors are pretty much gone, except in tiny rural communities.
posted by John Hager on 01/14/11 at 9:33 PM
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Village intervews for new code inspection officer.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DKOkcJIEtw
and as allways
ArgenioAndrew channel on youtube
posted by Andrew Argenio on 01/15/11 at 8:43 AM
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This is great. A first step toward consolidation of services between the Town and Village. Cuomo will be satisfied with this progress.
posted by j h on 01/18/11 at 4:13 PM
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