JAY – Building inspector James Butler asked selectmen to give him some guidelines that outline consistent steps they want him to take when he gets a complaint on a reported dangerous building.

Right now, he has to go to selectmen on a case-by-case basis.

Butler said he received five complaints on a building at 38 Main St. He followed up on the complaints, did a walk-through with the property managers and sent a report of 11 deficiencies that included electrical and egress concerns by certified mail to them and requested a plan to correct them within 10 days. When the plan didn’t arrive, he sent another letter and told the firm he would be taking the matter to selectmen at Monday night’s meeting to decide the next step.

He receive a corrective action plan at 3:30 p.m. Monday.

Matt Theriault, an owner of Global Real Estate Management Inc. in Lewiston, which took over management of the building for the owner, said he left a message for Butler prior to the second letter but didn’t receive a call back because he had questions.

Butler said he didn’t receive the message.

Theriault asked what code the town is using, 2006 or 2009.

Butler said he uses the state adopted 2006 National Fire Protection Association’s life safety codes.

Among the deficiencies the building was cited for, Theriault said, was that it needed a fire alarm system with pull boxes, which is required in commercial and four-story buildings. The 2009 code considers the building a three-story, Theriault said.

Butler said it is a seven-unit apartment building and there is an apartment in the basement. He consulted with an inspector from the state Fire Marshal’s Office and it is considered a four-story building, Butler said.

Theriault said some deficiencies outlined in the report were not those raised during the walk-through.

Theriault said they plan to follow the codes but need to know what the town adopted. They have already corrected some items after the walk-through, he said.

Butler said he went to his office and followed the rule book when making his report and consulted with the state inspector.

Theriault also asked if the code is going to be enforced fairly across the board throughout the town.

As far as he’s concerned, Butler said, it would be.

Tenants did not send complaints to the company, Theriault said, and instead went right to the building inspector.

Both Theriault and his father, Denis Theriault, president of the company, said they follow the codes and provide the best service possible. But they needed to know what the town goes by.

The building inspector’s position is new, select board Chairman Steve McCourt said, and they are working through the process.

He asked Butler to arrange a meeting with the state fire inspector to go over the problems with the building.

Fire Chief Scott Shink said selectmen need to develop a plan for Butler to follow.

“We’re not enforcing life-safety. I was in a three-story apartment building and there was no fire escape. Only one way in and one way out,” Shink said. “We can’t take it on a case-by-case basis.”

Town Manager Ruth Marden will check with towns that have no zoning or building code to see how they handle these types of situations.