ORDER-2023-42 : Appointment of Albert Talarico as Director of Inspectional Services and Building Commissioner for the City of Melrose

Transcript (~24 min @ 19:40)

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▶ 19:33 Leila Migliorelli: And first on our agenda tonight is order 2023-42 appointment of Albert talarico as the Director of inspectional services and Building Commissioner for the city of Melrose. This is offered by mayor Broder. And Mayors here to speak as well as Mr. Talerico.

▶ 19:54 Paul Brodeur: Thank you madam, chair members of the committee for those of you who are here for the earlier. Presentations before Hew happy New Year. It's great to see you all it's time to certainly time to get back to work. I am delighted to bring before you. Al Talerico to be our director of inspectional services and Building Commissioner for the city Melrose as you know, Paul Johnson left our employ to move on to a different position in another community did a fine job for him. I've not had an opportunity to publicly thank him for his service to the community and we certainly wish him well in his Endeavors of Mr. Talarika. I'm very excited to bring aboard Mr. Talerico brings 23 years of construction and inspectional services experience to this community as a candidate for the position Al stood out for his focus on customer service and efficiency and has extensive experience working on zoning changes and importantly zoning compliance over the past seven years. He served as the Building Commissioner for the city of Peabody. We're in addition to the day-to-day tasks of that office. He's instrumental. In launching a new permitting system and procedures to go along with it processed over 5,200 permits annually which generated over two and a half million dollars in annual revenue and interestingly enacted a receivership receivership program, which provided the city with a mechanisms to manage abandoned properties. Alison continuously looking to essentially improve the customer its service experience by improving workflow and processes and again as another badge of honor in terms of innovation of kind of thinking outside the box or adding value. He secured a grant while in Peabody to archive all building department plans and files and make them readily available online here in Melrose. As you know, he's been serving on an interim basis and has hit the ground running. He's met with all relevant staff including our planning and Community Development director our police and fire and certainly healthy human services department is a lot of that work as you know overlaps. He's also very used to collaboratively working with boards, like our zoning board of appeals and the planning board the Conservation Commission and the historic district commission as well as the historical commission to respect and add value in those processes that are relevant here in Melrose. It is Are the AL is already thinking about ways to align inspectional services to ensure that his Department serves in partnership with our other departments to meet the goals of the city and provide a consistently high level of customer service to everyone who comes through the door. I am very eager to see to see his work move forward. I'm happy that he's here to share with you some of his Visions goals and experience and I offer him for your consideration with my highest recommendation.

▶ 23:15 Speaker 8: Mr. Taylorito

▶ 23:17 Speaker 9: Well, thank you. Thank you everyone for taking the time to meet with me. And thank you may have brought it for the opportunity. I also like to thank City Hall departments and my staff for helping out these last couple of weeks. Very wonderful and dedicated people kind that work here as I said during my interview with the mayor. I've always held Melrose and very high regard. I have a sister who's lived here for a number of years with her husband and boys. I've seen how close knit and how welcoming this community is through her experiences. I've also had been a little jealous of her Main Street compared to my main street. In fact while working in Peabody's downtown Design District ordinance. I've used Melrose as a model to help us with ours at the time. We like the way the downtown commercial and residential work to complement each other and how signage shouldn't take away from the building's characters. Needless to say when I saw the opening for the building commissioner's position here. I decided to apply. I wanted to talk a little bit about my experience, but the mayor kind of went through it in detail, but I'm gonna go over a little bit. I know the mayor's communicated that I have 23 years and construction experience 18 years, which I have been a building inspector. I started my career in 2004 as a local building inspector with the city of Revere and quickly moved to Chief Building Inspector while there I decided to get my certification as a certified building official and received it in 2013. in 2015 I accepted the position as commissioner for the city of Peabody. While there I managed a very busy office Department of eight full-time inspectors processed over 5,200 permits and did produce over 22.5 million in annual revenue. I've been involved in large-scale projects small-scale projects. I've worked with the zba. City Council planning board and Community Development historical commission Board of Health and the fire department. I know how critical it is to build relationships with them to have things run smoothly. While in Peabody, I transitioned the department from a paper-based application to a full online based system. No small tasks when having to ask to train staff to learn something new. With all with as with most City Hall Department storages one of the biggest issues. My solution was to scan Department folders and plans. Over 400,000 documents. I requested and secured $150,000 from the community preservation committee. This work not only helped the storage issues, but also helped customer service. And help customers have instant access to our records. It also reduced clerical work and wasteful coffee. I know how to run an efficient customer friendly building department and I hope given the opportunity with your approval. I can do the same here in Melrose. Thank you for your time consideration.

▶ 26:33 Speaker 7: Thank you, Mr. Tyler.

▶ 26:41 Shawn M. MacMaster: Going thank you madam. Chair. Good evening, Mr. Mayor. Good evening, Mr. Talerico. Thank you for being here during your first 90 days in this position. What would you look to to do?

▶ 26:50 Speaker 9: I've been here for a couple of weeks now or several weeks seems like 90 days. Um, what I wanted to do was Typically, I have to get up to speed with the software system that that we have here in Melrose. I also have been playing one-on-one with my inspect is just to see what works and what doesn't work for the Department. I also Outreach to other City departments as the mayor stated Community Development the zba. I feel like those are the Departments actually all those departments I mentioned Would need some sort of relationship or some sort of relationship building just so we can all be on the same foot. So right now my first nine days, I spent going through a lot of files and a lot of applications that were sitting that needed to go through the process of being vetted out. But and I'm hoping to get up to speed as soon as sooner rather than later with the help the plan in the department with as far as owning. Thank you. And you

▶ 27:56 Paul Brodeur: mind if I interrupt console guys, I want that. It's Talerico is also taking the initiative to work with Lauren grimmick, you know who's our business development person to make sure that things work seamlessly for for customers potential customers coming in developers are even folks for small residential projects to make sure that we aren't going to be an obstacle that we can be as helpful as possible so that the customer service goes a little bit beyond just the you know caring application through it's also to make people comfortable the that we are again that we are open for business for folks that

▶ 28:38 Shawn M. MacMaster: are interested in coming here. Thank you Stella regard. I just had one additional question based on what you've observed so far in the building and Department in based on your experience and both Peabody and Revere. What opportunities do you think exists to utilize technology to help facilitate the permit process?

▶ 28:56 Speaker 9: Well, I had a different software system that we have here. There's Avenue for improvement as far as work flows.

▶ 29:09 Speaker 9: Right. Now the way I've seen it and just this is this is just my first couple of weeks here. a system needs to be in place to Target and to identify specific properties and some of them are an example would be something with historical significance sometimes in the you know in the past applications have come through where the historical commission should have been alerted by it or the Conservation Commission. So I think maybe looking at different online system seeing if it's feasible and and getting something where a workflow can be created where there's a checks and balances throughout these permits. Thank you,

▶ 29:56 Speaker 2: Mr. Tyler Rica. Thank you manager.

▶ 29:59 Speaker 7: counselor Jamal Dean sir Williams and counselor car

▶ 30:03 Maya Jamaleddine: Ma Judy, thank you for being with us today and Welcome to our community. You have couple of questions. Can you name? One of the roadblocks that you face during your previous. I'm sorry, like any challenges that you

▶ 30:25 Speaker 9: that I had in Peabody. Oh boy. Well, I think some of I've spoken to a few of you and one of the biggest challenges I had in Peabody is Peabody's special permit graining Authority is actually the city council. So it it's a little bit of a challenging. It's balancing act when when these projects come in and there's um, there's this, you know this community outreach to the counselors to kind of get involved. So that is something that I needed to kind of work with I you know, I've always been one of the opinion of you know, being open-minded and being able to kind of sit down and talk to people and see if we can come to Common Ground. But if I had to pick one thing is it's probably that one.

▶ 31:21 Maya Jamaleddine: And how were you able to resolve it in a way communication

▶ 31:23 Speaker 9: just building relationships again sitting down with the counselors over the years. You just kind of tend to know what you can and can't do what what some of the obstacles are for them and and maybe come up with with some there's there's always different ways to get what you need to get to and it's just a you know, it's just basically starts with conversations.

▶ 31:50 Maya Jamaleddine: Can you name one of your personal goals and one of your department goals that you want to set?

▶ 32:03 Speaker 9: My my department goal is going to be in my focus is always been customer service and I feel like that's the key to success. You know, I was in Revere Peabody and it's a challenging a very humble experience when you don't know what you're doing and you try to pull a permit in the city. And I know it's some people don't know what to expect. They're dreading it or they just come in and customer service is key having someone across or on that counter. That's friendly that's attentive that answers your question. That's my goal. I think a lot of problems get alleviated that way just you know, having that common courtesy treating people the way that you want to be treated as far as long-term goal. I think that's your second Department goal Department goal is right now is again just training and going through to see what works and what doesn't work I too. feel that the technology that we have could could use some upgrading as far as the permitting side and again working with something that has a little more workflow to get other departments involved. I think that's probably my long-term goal and and maybe I might want to add one more thing which is storage one of the things scanning documents and and alleviating all that storage that I have in the department right now.

▶ 33:48 Speaker 3: Thank you.

▶ 33:50 Speaker 7: councilor Williams

▶ 33:52 Ryan Williams: Hi, thanks for being here. So we are a community that is on the cusp of undergoing some zoning changes. We have we're going to hear from our team about a process they're going to undertake to review. Just what those owning changes might be and I strikes me that with any time of change. There's a need for You know a focus on teaching people about the new regs correcting people when they're wrong about how the regs have changed and also enforcement. And I noted excuse me. I noted in your resume that you mentioned enforcement. I wonder what your approach and style is with regard to enforcement and and maybe you could talk a little bit about how you might approach a problem where the city council is involved. The person calls and says this person is doing something they shouldn't do or they are operating in a manner that is contrary to the permit that they pulled.

▶ 34:50 Speaker 9: Well, I had a situation and I can't remember the counselor that I helped. It was a situation probably about a week maybe two weeks ago where someone decided to dig in the backyard and they decided to build a garage without any permits. I'm not sure which one it is. I apologize my way of dealing with that is I sending letters is fine and documenting I am I'm all for that but picking up the phone and maybe showing up at the residence and having a discussion with someone that's doing this and and you know letting them know that it's this is not the way of doing it alleviate the majority of those enforcement issues you're talking about, you know, sometimes you're gonna run in situations people don't like hearing no and then my approach to that is always never argue with someone on their property having them come in. We have a discussion in my office and where it's controlled and then you know, we can we can Go back and forth, but just be respectful communication is key and you know, I think a gradual approach to enforcement would be a good way of doing it instead of just going out and start sending out tickets. But you know some days you're you you're dealing with situations where someone's been doing this violation or violation for years. So, you know, it's all these situations. They're all different, but I guess My first initial thought is always to try to pick up the phone. Or have a conversation with the homeowner or whoever's has that violation?

▶ 36:31 Speaker 5: Thanks. Appreciate that. Not for me. Thank you counselor Chrome

▶ 36:35 Manjula Karamcheti: chadie. Thank you so much for being with us. My first question is around the role of being a building inspector and looking at accessibility of our buildings across the city and just wondering if you could speak to that in your in your previous communities that you've worked in how you've helped identify issues of accessibility for buildings in the city. And then how have you partnered with the different entities to make sure that residents regardless of their ability or disability or able to enter building safely and navigate those buildings safely and exit buildings.

▶ 37:12 Speaker 9: Accessibility is one of those inspectors throughout the Commonwealth all have their little quirks. One likes doing framing inspections. The other one is good at energy. My my thing is the aab requirements or architectural access board. I feel that if you're opening up a public space you need to accommodate. You know, now I a lot of Renovations a lot of people owning these businesses don't know about these these triggers. It's my job to let them know give them the right information. I had a situation it's kind of funny that I've had all these situations in the last couple of weeks where a local business. I'm not gonna name which one but decided that they wanted to do a major renovation at their offices and unbeknown to them. They thought it was a simple renovation. But what happens is when you have renovating public spaces that have to deal with bathrooms as deal with egresses or common areas, there's certain triggers in this that require the owner to Close accommodations and sometimes they don't want to hear that. But it is that's what it is. This particular case. I had a conversation with the manager of the business and I let them know what what the issues were why they're arising and I also let them know. What what options they had? So if we have a lot of Old Stock in in Melrose, a lot of the buildings can't accommodate certain things. Well in in Boston, we have the architectural access board which grants waivers to certain businesses depending on the feasibility or whether they can do it structurally. So I let them have the the director information and I let them know more or less what they needed to do to get granted variance and what they needed to do if they wanted to move forward. They will find all they really wanted was to know what the steps were and why these triggers happen

▶ 39:35 Manjula Karamcheti: I hope I answered that question. Yeah, absolutely. Thank you. That was very helpful. And then my next question is maybe more of a curious question just in terms of like your role and thinking about Melrose. We are a community that doesn't have a lot of space for building and a lot of new property in terms of like our square footage and whatnot. But we are a community that's looking to find ways to have more housing to have affordable housing and just I'm just curious how you see your role in that.

▶ 40:08 Speaker 9: Well, I have I could give my opinion as far as you know, the master plan or any zoning changes. I would love to be part of that discussion, you know, there's a need for affordable housing. I know that they just has to be a smart approach to it and dealing with you know, Massachusetts and all the old surrounding communities around Boston. It's a challenge. Especially when you're dealing with buildings that just can't or land the can accommodate all these new structures. One thing you do have is a great director of Community Development. And I think you know speaking with her at the mayor that they're you know, they're they're focusing on something like that. And the only thing I can offer with that is just my opinion.

▶ 40:58 Speaker 1: Thank you.

▶ 41:00 Speaker 7: Thank you counselor Stewart. Thank you madam chair.

▶ 41:01 Robb Stewart: Mr. Mayor thank you, sir for coming before us tonight, Mr. Teleco. I More feedback than question when we I assume that my fellow city council is here this often as well and we get a call regarding. The permitting process typically it is about a delay, you know can it's I've been waiting two months. I'm kind of on hold. I'm living in a hotel. So I'm pleased to hear. That your focus is on that customer service side with some of your ideas of record access and trying to but I think as feedback what's going to be important is ultimately faster service and anything you can do to help with that and it sounds like you have that mindset would be great. And welcome to hear your comments on that.

▶ 42:03 Speaker 9: I again I I'm a homeowner. I know I challenge you and it is to get things done. I'm one of those people I'm not a procrastinator. I love getting things done right away. And I feel I can feel the frustration when someone isn't getting what they need. I can tell you is from the time. I've been here. Everyone in City Hall. That's somehow connected to this permanent process. Does what they can as quickly as possible, I work with the planning board the staff there has been unbelievable every time I've asked them a question. I've gotten a response right away right now. There's a little bit of a learning curve on my end with with the zoning which I'm hoping to improve and I'm slowly improving every day, but I can I can I can see the frustrations I I The only thing I can I can tell you is that we're good the staff and the people that I'm working with are going as fast as possible to accommodate them. There's some you know, Melrose has a lot of challenges. One of them is building everything on on you know on this ledge. So it's not an easy but besides having small Lots you've got ledge and you've got other issues that that could stop someone or it could take a long time for someone to get the permit that they require again. It goes back to communicating with them. Just letting them know what the challenges are and what the process is great. Great. Thank you. It's

▶ 43:34 Speaker 8: not led to this water from the

▶ 43:37 Speaker 9: ledge.

▶ 43:42 Speaker 1: Counselor grown chadie I'd like to make a recommendation motion to recommend for passage second.

▶ 43:48 Speaker 7: Shouldn't recommend for passage made by counselor Karm chady seconded by counselor Eckles. All in favor. Aye any opposed.

▶ 43:59 Speaker 7: Okay, this direction One passes and you'll be we'll be heard at the next city council meeting.

▶ 44:04 Speaker 9: Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.