SAUGUS — The Apartment Inspection Committee, formed via Article 24 at Town Meeting in May, held its first meeting, where it spoke on its future role in potentially increasing regulation on apartments in town.
The committee met in the auditorium at Town Hall, where its membership ranking was determined. Town Meeting members Peter Manoogian and Sue Palomba are serving as chairman and clerk respectively, with selectman Anthony Cogliano and Town Meeting member Darren Ring also part of its membership.
In attendance, too, was Town Manager Scott Crabtree.
Manoogian said the priority of the committee, first and foremost, is health and safety, noting an instance where Ring had heard of a problem in which a Town Meeting member’s daughter was having issues related to non-working smoke detectors in her apartment.
Manoogian noted that due to state mandates and laws, Section 8 housing in town are inspected with more frequency than other apartments.
Crabtree questioned what authority Board of Health Director John Fralick would have over certain issues within an apartment, saying that what Manoogian was referencing with regard to inspections and registrations is something that goes beyond his knowledge.
“If there’s electrical wiring, the health director’s not going to know (if there is a problem),” Crabtree said.
Palomba interjected saying that what the committee would be looking to do would be to “push…the certificate of fitness.”
Manoogian said that the Board of Health may be able to come up with regulations, after which point they may consult with appropriate parties such as the Fire Department to inspect apartments for proper adherence to state regulations.
Manoogian said that as this pertains to state law, it is a community-to-community decision as to how these sorts of regulations are made known and implemented.
“I guess the decision for the Town Meeting is, should we be doing this in Saugus? Should we adopt a process, and let the Board of Health or Town Manager or Inspectional Services implement it?” he asked.
Manoogian said that they cannot fully make a decision with regard to regulating apartments in town, without first becoming well-versed in what neighboring communities are doing, noting that the committee was formed to explore the idea, which may result in a town by-law proposal at the next annual Town Meeting.
“Town Meeting asked us to study,” he said.
The meeting ended with Crabtree suggesting a phased-in implementation approach, so as to not spring anything immediately on residents, and the committee members committing to look more into how the neighboring communities of Revere, Malden, Everett and Lynn conduct apartment inspections.
