Edgewood Library Conspiracy Exposed – Permit Required, Fines Levied

by John Weckerle

Our readers may recall that we researched issues raised by Chuck Ring in articles at Gadabout-Blogalot.com (here, here, and here; and our article is here) regarding renovation at the Edgewood Library and the possibility that work was done without permits.  At issue, at least initially, was the fact that the building was “red-tagged” by a Construction Industries Division (CID) electrical inspector.  The situation remained unresolved at the time of our last examination, and the last of the Gadabout-Blogalot.com articles seemed to suggest, in a sidelong manner, that NM-Central.com was somehow remiss in its assessment of the situation.  With a month an a half now having passed, we decided to check on the status of the “controversy” to see what, if any, fallout had occurred.

First on our list of calls was Edgewood Town Administrator Karen Mahalick.  Ms. Mahalick stated that the Town had not paid any fines or permit fees; rather, she indicated, the general contractor for the project, Doyce Wilhite of Quality Home Construction, dealt directly with the CID on the matter.  Your editor then contacted Mr. Wilhite and discussed the situation at length.  Mr. Wilhite indicated that the CID had instructed him to file a copy of the electrical plan for the remodel, signed by an engineer.  Upon receipt of the plan, the CID determined that a Tenant Improvement Permit was, in fact, needed, primarily as a result of the addition of two outlets to the facility.  The CID also determined that the work was done in compliance with the applicable codes, and no rework or changes were required.  The CID did request (but did not require) that a panel box be moved.  The panel box was not part of the remodel and was in compliance with applicable codes at the time of installation, but codes have since changed.  Mr. Wilhite indicated that the building owner agreed to the request.  By agreement with the CID, the building owner will bring other sections of the building up to current code as remodeling is done for future tenants.  The CID did not require permits for, or take issue with, any other aspect of the renovation, including the replacement of the wall with posts referenced in Gadabout-Blogalot.com’s third article on the issue.

With respect to that part of the remodeling, Mr. Wilhite indicated that the ceiling structure in question supports some lighting as well as two air transfer units, weighing a total of about 500 pounds.  He indicated that the posts and beams were designed essentially to the specifications for a load-bearing wall.  Mr. Wilhite noted that he uses the same software used by the CID to estimate the lumber needed for such a span, and that the CID did not take issue with or require a permit for that aspect of the renovation.

Mr. Wilhite indicated that a permit fee and associated penalty have been paid to the CID.  This included paying the permit fee and a penalty equal to that fee.  The total remitted to the CID was $36.  We are glad that the Town was not required to pay the fee and the fine, and hope that this will be a final resolution to “Electro-Librarygate.”

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