Boxford Building Inspector Cracking Down on Permits

The Tri-Town Transcript reports that the new Boxford building inspector, Robert Comacho, has been cracking down on incomplete and non-existing building permits, trying to correct situations such as swimming pools without proper fences or protections and projects “where work was done, but completed outside the parameters of the building permit.”

According to Comacho, “We try to make it as easy as possible for the homeowner. . .  we are looking over the  last 12 months of permits, going through the files and see status of project, what was done legally and illegally,” he explained.  Before making final payments to a contractor, homeowners should be aware that final inspections must be done.

“We’re not out there to hurt, only to help and protect property,” added Comacho, who urges residents to come into his office if they are not sure about the need for a permit. “People can come in and walk out with permit on the same day.”  If a contractor is doing a job, he should be the one to pull the permit, clarified Comacho.

“We screen to make sure he has a license, insurance and a contract. The fee is to help protect the homeowner,” he said. “We check with the state to see if the contractor’s license is current. And this puts contractors on notice that we’re paying attention.  Ultimately, the contractor is responsible. And when people sell property, they like to brag about improvements they made. Real estate agents come in looking for work done, and in many cases, there is no proof at all,” he added.

Read the entire Tri-Town Transcript article.