30-Day Moratorium on New Permit Applications in Effect until March 15th
New City, NY, – On Monday Rockland County Executive Ed Day, alongside newly appointed Director Ed Markunas, discussed the launch of the new County Office of Buildings and Codes which, effective February 14, 2022, assumed full control over the functions of the Village of Spring Valley Building Department as Ordered by New York State.
“I am proud to stand before you today to celebrate achieving the near-impossible,” said County Executive Ed Day. “In only three months, Rockland has launched a brand-new county Office of Buildings and Codes.”
The County of Rockland was ordered by the New York State Department of State on November 16, 2021, to take over the functions of the Spring Valley Building Department.
Preparing for the takeover has been an all-hands-on deck situation with staff from the Office of Fire and Emergency Services, Facilities Department, Purchasing Department, Information and Technology Services, Law Department, Personnel Department, Finance Department, Office of Consumer Protection, and the Office of the County Executive taking part.
A small scope of those accomplishments include:
- Weekly meetings with New York State and Spring Valley Village officials and attorneys.
- Five new resolutions drafted in 90 days.
- Renovating an old, unused cafeteria, into office space in under 20 days.
- Launching the web page for the new Office of Buildings and Codes.
The Office of Buildings and Codes main office is located on the 2nd Floor of Building A in the Robert Yeager Health Complex in Pomona. Rockland County will also have a small satellite office at Spring Valley Village Hall to accommodate the needs of village residents. The satellite office will be staffed by a clerk and certified code inspector to provide forms and answer questions.
Former NYPD Police Officer and Suffern Mayor Ed Markunas is the Director of the Office of Buildings and Codes. During his time as Mayor Ed Markunas oversaw the Village’s Building Department and developed and implemented the Village of Suffern Code Initiative (modeled after the incredibly successful Rockland Code Initiative) which combatted code, housing, and fire safety issues.
“Based on the information provided by Spring Valley there are over 800 outstanding inspections that we must tackle as quickly as possible which will be prioritized based on any safety concerns,” said Office of Buildings and Codes Director Ed Markunas. “To accomplish this, we have 20 certified code inspectors and several support staff who will tackle the outstanding inspections. As this process plays out, we are prepared to increase staffing and inspectors if the workload demands it.”
The County of Rockland created an Intermunicipal Agreement with Spring Valley which lays the groundwork for a smooth transition of this department under County control and prepares for the day that New York State decides to return it to Spring Valley. The agreement outlines the expectations and requirements of the working relationship between the County of Rockland and Village of Spring Valley including accessing their recordkeeping program and allowing their existing building and fire inspectors to report to and work for the county. The inclusion of fully vetted, existing village inspectors is necessary because they know local conditions best. With proper oversight, training, and direction these inspectors will help speed up this process significantly.
“Any Village employee who does not comport entirely with the rules and regulations of New York State will be removed from participating in our effort,” said County Executive Day. “I promise the people of Rockland that my top goal in fulfilling this order from New York State is to protect the health and safety of village residents, visitors and first responders.”
The new Office will operate under a strict zero-tolerance policy. Additionally, when it comes to enforcement of the Uniform Building and Fire Codes of New York State, inspectors will not hesitate to issue fines to those in violation.
“Fines are not the goal, they are just a tool that we will utilize whenever necessary,” said Director Markunas.
The Office of Buildings and Codes has instituted a 30-day moratorium which will end on March 15, 2022, on any new permit applications while the Office conducts a comprehensive review of all outstanding violations while resolving issues that pose an imminent threat to life, health, and safety. The Office requests all interested parties begin submitting complaints by calling 845-364-3700 or emailing BuildingsAndCodes@co.rockland.ny.us.
“This new Office will ensure strict compliance with all New York State Fire, Building and Energy Codes. There will be zero tolerance for anyone looking to skirt or circumvent the law. There will be a quality control and operational oversight piece to the effort that will ensure inspections are done right and by the book,” said County Executive Ed Day.