SWAMPSCOTT — Another vacancy in Town Hall was filled on Wednesday, when the Select Board voted unanimously to accept the town administrator’s recommendation and appoint Stephen Cummings to the position of building commissioner.
Cummings has a professional background in municipal-building inspections and had his own construction business for almost 18 years before becoming a building inspector.
“I know what it’s like to be on both sides of the construction pretty good,” said Cummings.
Cummings has worked as an assistant building inspector for his home city of Salem for five years. He said he enjoys interacting with people and helping both residents and contractors.
“Everybody’s got a little stake in the game. I don’t like to hold people up,” Cummings said. “I definitely understand that is money on the line.”
In Salem, Cummings has worked well with the engineering, planning and fire departments, he said, but it was hard to get some projects off the ground as he did not have enough authority to make some decisions or help other departments make decisions.
“I see the frustration. These people are trying to make a living; the homeowners are out there trying to get their projects done,” said Cummings.
At the same time, Cummings said rules have to be consistent and zoning laws need to be enforced. He said that, when he is in doubt, he goes back to the book and revises the rules.
Sometimes, Cummings has to play the psychologist at his job and give people options.
“If you can get to the right road, there’s no reason to hold them up,” Cummings said. “You just try to help them along through the process.”
