Merrimack Valley

City sponsors open house to build strong relationship

By Jill Harmacinski
Staff Writer
Published: April 28, 2008

LAWRENCE — Your safety is their business.

For that very reason, city building inspectors are hosting a week of activities they hope will make their office more user-friendly for residents and businesspeople alike.

"We really want to do more outreach," said Building Inspector Peter Blanchette, one of the Building Safety Awareness Week organizers.

From May 5 to 10, the public is invited to a variety of free events sponsored by the city's building department.

Officials at City Hall will answer questions on building permits, inspections, zoning requirements, work-site safety, swimming pools, decks, fences, driveways, signs and more, Blanchette said.

Blanchette said he realizes some view city building inspectors as "a thorn in their side," someone they only see when a problem arises. However, he stressed, "safety is our number one concern. ... We are here to help."

The week of events, which Blanchette described as a small-scale trade fair, runs Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at City Hall at 200 Common Street.

Everything from fire prevention tips, a safe scaffolding demonstration, hazardous materials removal and building code changes will be covered. Saturday is "Homeowner Day" from 9 a.m. to noon. Inspectors will be available that morning to assist with building permit applications and zoning issues. There will also be door prizes and refreshments available.

"It will be a good week. We hope people take advantage of it," Blanchette said.

Blanchette went before the city councilors at their last meeting and told them about Building Safety Awareness Week.

Since then, "the feedback I've received has been very positive," he said. Blanchette also plans to go before the city's neighborhood groups to promote the event.

The activities coincide with the International Code Council's building safety week. The ICC oversees building code and enforcement nationwide. Lawrence is hoping to make the awareness week an annual event, Blanchette said.

He urges anyone who needs more information to call him at 978-620-3150.

The building department and members of Mayor Michael Sullivan's Health Task Force organized next week's activities.

Here's a rundown:

r Monday — Building Safety Week opening ceremonies with Mayor Michael Sullivan at 10 a.m.

r Tuesday — Fire inspectors talk about smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, and household safety.

r Wednesday — Construction, work-site, power-tool and scaffolding demonstrations.

r Thursday — Hazardous materials, lead- and asbestos-removal seminars.

r Friday — Focus is on contractor license requirements and building code changes.

r Saturday — Inspectors and others available to answer questions on permits and zoning issues.