SCHENECTADY Complaints against code enforcers probed Rudeness among issues; cameras will be installed to watch workers BY KATHLEEN MOORE Gazette Reporter
Complaints about the city’s code enforcers have reached such a fever pitch that the mayor has appointed an administrator to investigate every one of them. John Paolino, who helps negotiate union contracts for the city, will be responsible for all complaints. He is visiting each property, with the power to admit wrongdoing if enforcers made a mistake. He’s also installing cameras in the code enforcement department in response to complaints of customer mistreatment and unprofessional conduct. Residents have claimed that on some occasions, code enforcers won’t return their calls, explain what work is needed or tell them how to pull the proper permits. When the residents complain, they say, code enforcers come back and issue more tickets. Paolino’s job is to make sure that owners can get their cases resolved quickly and smoothly. “The mayor wants to create a professional atmosphere. We want to work with people, not be obstacles,” Paolino said. “Let’s try to solve problems, not create them.” Some of the complaints can be resolved by giving owners better access to their own code enforcement files so they can see precisely what they need to do, Paolino said. Other complaints are a communications problem — some buyers of long-vacant houses have been shocked to discover that as soon as they buy the property, code enforcers hand them a packet of tickets for code violations they must resolve at once. Before they buy, Paolino said, “We need to tell people that if you purchase this, this, this and this need to be done.” Among the issues to be resolved is a complaint against code enforcement worker Elisa Wickham, who is accused of wrongly closing down a legal business on Albany Street in January and then not filing any paperwork on it. Code enforcers refused to speak with the store operator, the city has acknowledged, so Funn Electronics remained closed for 41 days, until city attorneys intervened. The store operator now wants the city to pay her for her lost profit. ................>>>>..........................>>>>............http://www.dailygazette.net/De.....r01100&AppName=1
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