Page 14 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 20, 2020 RESIDENTS | FROM PAGE 4 Inspectional Services Department/Permitting Director – James Soper – james.soper@ci.everett. ma.us | 617-394-2220 • Inspectors will be operating on a regular business schedule. Rough inspections for Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Gas permits are proceeding normally; however, we are asking to limit contact during the inspection. Final Inspections are being prioritized to accommodate issuance of occupancy permits. All the above mentioned permits are available online with payment by credit card. We are actively seeking out those contractors who have chosen to work without permits. • Sanitary Code Enforcement inspectors are prioritizing inspections within dwelling units relating to imminent danger and life safety. All inspections involving the exterior of dwellings, nuisances, trash and structural elements are being conducted regularly. Minor infractions and habitability inspections within dwelling units have been curtailed to reduce exposure. We have stepped up our inspection and educational efforts with all restaurants and liquor establishments (consumption on premise), notifying each of Governor Charlie Baker’s orders. Our Serve Safe Certified sanitary inspectors have been delivering food to the elderly daily in conjunction with the Senior Center. • The clerical staff is mobilized with VPN access and is servicing customers in collaboration with members of the inspection teams. All phone calls coming into the office are being routed to the applicable inspector(s). Staff is returning calls for customer inquiries, answering questions and directing them in the use of our web portal; 311 Calls are followed up on as if the building were fully operational. All licensing (Food, CV, and Entertainment) applications and questions are being handled without delay, and preparations are being made for license renewal (2020). Demand letters for ticket payments are being processed (VPN), printed in office and sent daily. Paypal (credit card) reconciliation will happen weekly in conjunction with the Treasurer’s Office. Daily conference calls are being held with the clerical staff to facilitate production. Zoning Board and Licensing Board ads, notifications, agendas and minutes continue to be a priority. We have been receiving and sending documents via email to our development community. • The Wire Department is fully operational, responding to any street or traffic lighting issues as well as continuing to make improvements in municipal buildings. A work order system has been set up by Rich Connors to allow members of the city government to request repairs and improvements. The Dept. recently took delivery of a new bucket truck to allow for replacement and repairs of street lighting. IT/MIS Kevin Dorgan – Director of IT – Kevin.Dorgan@ ci.everett.ma.us | (617) 394-2289 • The IT Department has worked closely with every department and employee to rapidly transition our workforce to being able to carry out all functions of City Hall without physically being in City Hall, without compromising network or data security. Mayor Carlo DeMaria was way ahead of the curve on this mandate for social distancing, realizing that this must be done before virtually any other city had even contemplated this being necessary, and that it must be done immediately to be effective. IT managed to get all employees responsible for vital services working remotely by the beginning of our next business day, and by the end of that day all employees in every department were able to carry out their responsibilities from home. This includes Constituent Services, who are able to take, log and process calls to 311 remotely, providing uninterrupted information to city residents. At this time all daily functions of City Hall are up and running. RESIDENTS | SEE PAGE 15
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