Published: December 26, 2008 10:40 pm      

Garrett nears adoption of electric code

OAKLAND — Garrett County is nearing the adoption of a new electric code, the first of its kind in the county.

“The ordinance seeks to adopt the 2005 version of the National Electrical Code and subsequent versions,” said Jim Torrington, chief of the county’s permits and inspection division.

The proposed code has been in the works for several years at the request of the Garrett County Electrical Mechanical Association.

At the county commission meeting Tuesday, a public hearing on the draft of the ordinance was held, and there was some question as to what consisted of altering or installing new electrical equipment.

The new ordinance would require getting a permit for the “installation or renewal or extension of electrical wiring or conductors.” Permits would need to be signed by the master electrician responsible for the work or by a homeowner who confirms responsibility for the electrical installation, inspections and approvals.

The permits would come with a fee yet to be established.

While many in attendance agreed that the ordinance needs to be in place for new construction and remodeling, there were some questions brought up at the hearing as to how restrictive the ordinance should be to homeowners and business owners.

Josh Rush of McHenry questioned just how stringent the new ordinance would be. He asked if he would he be punished if something needed to be replaced on a weekend or at night when a permit couldn’t be obtained.

Tony Doerr of the Garrett County Planning Commission said the new ordinance would not be so stringent and as currently worded would allow for emergency repairs.

Commissioner Denny Glotfelty said it could be a hindrance if a business were required to file for a permit before work could be done on something like a breaker replacement. He said he wondered what sort of electrical work would require the permit and if, as it would be at his business and not at his home where he would have the right to make changes himself, he would need to call up a master electrician to do the job.

Tim Kline of Swanton said he, as a master HVAC license holder, often has to do electrical work on the job.

“Will I be restricted,” Kline said. “As far as me wiring a furnace or heater, provisions should be in there.”

Kline also questioned what justified the work of the homeowner as being up to code or safe. The ordinance as it was drafted would allow for a homeowner to do repairs and replacements on the home with a permit for alterations on existing electrical lines.

Eric Robison of Oakland, also a general contractor, suggested wording in the code specify adding or altering so it couldn’t be interpreted as being required for repair or replacement. He also asked that at the adoption of the ordinance, the county contact local contractors to notify them of the changes and of the fees so that they do not place bids and have to absorb the cost of the permitting fee.

The commissioners have already received comments from the towns of Accident and Mountain Lake Park as well as the Electrical Mechanical Association. The record will be held open for two weeks for further comment.

Contact Sarah Moses at smoses@times-news.com.