Edgewood Library “Red Tagged”
by John Weckerle
In a two-part (so far) series titled “Red Tags In The Sunset In Edgewood, New Mexico,” (Part One and Part Two) about a “red tag” posted by NM Construction Industries Division (CID) electrical inspector Jason Davis at the Edgewood Library, Gadabout-Blogalot.com editor Chuck Ring raises issues regarding potential permitting issues at the Edgewood Library. Among the issues raised by Mr. Ring in his first article are that permits may have been required and were not obtained; that unlicensed contractors may have performed the work; that work may not have been performed to standards; and that the library might be open in violation of the red tags. In his second article, Mr. Ring indicates that anonymous individuals allegedly advised the Town that permits were required and poses the question “If the advise (sic) was ignored, one has to wonder why. Did the Town of Edgewood, acting through it staff or elected Mayor decide that permitting the work was not required or did the Town just forget about the permits?”
We contacted the Town to inquire into the situation. We spoke with Karen Mahalick, acting Administrator, regarding the situation. Ms. Mahalick indicated that the Town had consulted with its engineer and its contractor at each step in remodeling the library, who advised them on whether or not a permit was needed. According to Ms. Mahalick, the Town was advised in most cases that permits were not required, and when a change was thought to require a permit, the Town elected not to make that change. Ms. Mahalick stated that the Town’s contractor, Doyce Wilhite of Quality Home Construction, was licensed. She also indicated that the Town had instructed Mr. Wilhite to work with the CID to identify any permit requirements that could have been overlooked and submit any required permit applications. Ms. Mahalick indicated that Mr. Wilhite had spent two hours with CID, and no permit requirements had been identified during that visit.
We checked on Mr. Wilhite’s license status, and found that he is, in fact, the holder of an active license. Then we contacted him to discuss the issue. Mr. Wilhite advised us that he had spent two and a half hours at CID’s offices earlier this week, and that the staff had been unable to point to a single part of the remodel that required a permit, with the acknowledgement that the electrical modifications were still under review by Mr. Davis. No structural work was performed, and no load-bearing walls were modified; as a result, he indicated, there should be no need for a new Certificate of Occupancy. Mr. Wilhite stated that his electrical subcontractor was licensed, and that all work had been performed to specifications. At issue, according to Mr. Wilhite, was the installation of four new electrical outlets near the computers, which was requested by the Town at the end of the project. Mr. Wilhite indicated that, in retrospect, a permit application probably should have been filed for the installation of the four outlets. He advised us that he will be meeting with Mr. Davis later this week to review the work and assess whether a permit application should be filed. Potential repercussions, Mr. Wilhite said, would be that the Town would have to pay the permitting fee and a penalty equal to 50% of that fee. According to Mr. Wilhite, the fee and the penalty together would amount to less than $200.
We left a message for Mr. Davis. He called back yesterday but, unfortunately, we weren’t here to take the call. If our conversations with him yield any new information, we will update this article.
Based on the information we’ve collected to date, we’ve seen no evidence that the Town knowingly – or negligently – violated any permitting requirements or placed anyone in harm’s way. What seems to have happened is that a minor mistake was made regarding permitting the electrical outlets, and that correcting that mistake will likely involve, at worst, payment of a very small fine. Resolution of the situation is in progress. There is no indication that either library patrons or workers should have any concern about using and/or working in the facility.
2 Responses “Edgewood Library “Red Tagged””
John,
Thanks for your commenting on Mr. Ring’s “Red Tag” articles on the “Gadabout-blogalot” blog. I just hope we can rely on the administrator having been provided the correct information as well as the contractor not being in a “circle the wagons” mode, defending any possible personal interest. I am bothered, though, that while handicapped parking and compliance with the American’s Disability act was brought up at the Oct 16th Town Council meeting, your two sources did not address this issue. Perhaps more info is forthcoming? By the same token,Mr. Ring has still to provide additional material which he alluded to on his blog. I have a gut feeling that we have yet to hear the full story.
Another thing that bothers me is who contacted the inspector regarding these “relatively minor” infractions and what was their motivation. I would hope that this matter is soon resolved and the “Red Badge” of non-compliance will come down just as soon. This is really a shame as the Library has been the most visual example of what our town can achieve when it works together. Bob Steiner
Town projects are kind of like onions; it seems as if there’s always another layer. I wasn’t aware of the ADA issue when I talked to Ms. Mahalick and Mr. Wilhite, so I didn’t ask. It should be interesting to see what else arises.