committee on  legislation

minutes – September 25, 2000

 

members:       Stewart-Cousins (Chair), Ryan, Abinanti, Mosiello, Bronz, Oros, Maisano, Latimer.

 

staff:               Vega

 

GUEST:              Liz Salvi, (Cty Atty), Robert Brunner(Dir.Trader Lic.)

William Randolph,(CE) Alan Scheinkman (CA)

Michael Alberts(Chair.Plumbers Board), John Pasquerella(Chair, Electrical Licensing Board), Dennis Gallego, (County Clerk), Pat Ploger.

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:15 p.m. and invited

Chairman Latimer to discuss changes to the Committee Report on

Pesticide Reduction Law which further clarified the Committee’s

intent.  The law had previously been signed out for Public Hearing.

Amendments were accepted unanimously and Law was signed out

for “all purposes”.

 

The Chair asked Mr. Brunner, Chief, Plumbing and Electrical

Licensing Board to address the committee regarding the

Implementation of the County’s Plumbing Electrical Laws and

the issue of grandfathering  for Plumbing Licenses.

 

Mr. Brunner informed the committee that the Plumbing Law states

- anyone holding a restricted license in any community in    Westchester County that was valid as of December 31, 1995 could get “grandfathered” forever in those municipalities where they had their licenses previously.  They would then have the opportunity to take the countywide test and get a countywide license.  The Electrical law started in April 1, 1998 and stated that anyone who had a masters’ electrician license that was valid as of December 31, 1997 in any municipality of Westchester County could bring a certified copy of that license and get a grandfather license for all of Westchester County.  He stated that the specific reason for that was due to the reciprocity of the electricians throughout the County.  (Anyone who had an electrical license in White Plains could go into Yonkers,

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 25, 2000

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Greenburgh etc. and get a reciprocal license. The Plumbers never had reciprocity.

 

It was further noted that the electrical inspections are done through the Insurance Companies and the Inspector is an expert in his field.  There is no municipality in Westchester County that has their own electrical inspector.  Every municipality has a contract with the New York Board of Fire Underwriters, which is an independent, non-profit agency and the people that work for them are electricians.  In Plumbing, there is not always the expertise.

 

Legislator Stewart-Cousins asked if they had adequate personnel to levy and collect fines.  It was stated that the Plumbing and Electrical board is a licensing Agency.  The Inspectors are only concerned with whether the individual has a license and if the journey level plumber has the certification.  The municipalities are notified of unlicensed plumbers and the County levies fines.  Complaints are made over the telephone, written complaints, the Inspectors make visits, and letters have been sent to the electricians and plumbers to have decals on their municipal trucks.      

 

Mr. Brunner advised that there were some changes they felt necessary to enhance legislation and municipal cooperation.

 

Legislator Stewart-Cousins requested Mr. Brunner to outline their suggestions in a letter to her in order for the committee to create legislation for all concerned parties.

 

Discussion:

Testing process – open book test are administered, when necessary and test for individuals with dyslexia (they are given extra time and questions are repeated, if necessary), language and religious times are also considered.

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MINUTES – SEPTEMBER 25, 2000

Page 3

 

Questions were raised regarding the notification process for renewing electrical licenses: Notices are sent out, returns are researched through the files and computer for new addresses and resent.  The Electrical Law states that you must have a new license by January 1^st of the year in which the license expired on 12/31. 

 

Mr. Pasquerella stated that 1^st and 2^nd Notices were sent to everyone, explaining the deadline and penalties for renewing their license.

 

The Chair thanked the guest for their presentation.

RECEIVE & FILE

Item # 18  Hon. Vito Pinto: School Bus Regulations, Private and

                   Public Contracts

Item # 19   Hon. Vito Pinto: Elevator Inspection and Sensor

                   Requirements

Item # 24   Place in Revaluation (Sub-topic)

Item # 26   Hon. George Latimer: Plumbing Licensing Law

Item # 42   Place in Revaluation (Sub-topic)

Item # 76  Hon. James Maisano: Electrical Licensing Board

Item # 78  Unfinished Business:  Hon. Vito Pinto: County-wide

                   Plumber Licensing Law

Item # 80  Unfinished Business: Hon. George Latimer: Safe

                  Storage of Weapons

          Items  #51a, #87 & 89  Place In Gun Free School Zone(Sub-topic)             

Legislator Ryan moved all items to be received and filed.  Seconded by Legislator Mosiello.  All in favor 5-0.

 

The Chair stated that Mr. Scheinkman, the County Attorney will be invited to the next meeting to give a presentation of the Weapons Free School Zone legislation.

 

Legislator Ryan made a motion to adjourn.  Seconded by Legislator

Mosiello.  All in favor 5-0.

 

The meeting adjourned at 2:05 p.m.