T-L Photo/ ROBERT A. DEFRANK Jason Baughman, standing, chief building official of the Mid-East Ohio Building Department, speaks with St. Clairsville leaders Tuesday about the advantages of working through his office for building inspections. Pictured left to right are Councilmen Frank Sabatino, Jim Velas and Perry Basile.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The city heard from Jason Baughman, chief building official of the Mid-East Ohio Building Department, who spoke Tuesday about the advantages of working through his office for building inspections.

A full council of held the first reading of an ordinance to establish a local building department with the intention of seeking inspections through the Mid-East Ohio Building Department in Zanesville.

Baughman said there would be many advantages in utilizing the local office rather than the state.

He gave one hypothetical example, describing the process of inspecting a 2,000 square-foot building, which he said would result in a savings of 20 percent in fees.

“We’re a smaller operation. We have less overhead. We have less to travel,” he said.

“When they’re ready for an inspection, they call. They schedule. My inspector goes to the field. Their job is to compare the work to the approved drawings. If they match, everything’s approved. They sign off. They head out. If the work does not match the approved drawings, they are required to deny the inspections. … You can change the work, you can change the drawings or you can appeal it to the state. That’s the process.”

“I think the local flavor means a lot,” Safety and Service Director James Zucal said. “I feel this would be a good move for the city.”

Planning and Zoning Administrator Tom Murphy has noted that anyone wishing to construct a commercial building would work through the Zanesville location. It would not impact residential builders.

Afterward, Baughman said that, as of April, Belmont County and the communities of Shadyside and Flushing have decided to utilize their services. He added that his office currently services six counties and he estimated Belmont County is already about third in service demands.

“Belmont County is a growing place,” he said.

In other matters, the city will hold a public informational meeting noon to 8 p.m. March 7 at the recreation center, to describe the state of the city’s aging water system. The city is in the process of considering the privitazation of water and wastewater systems. Mayor Terry Pugh said no decisions will be made in the near future, but the city continues to seek input. Representatives from Aqua Ohio, a private entity that has shown an interest in purchasing the system, will also be present.

The council will schedule a work session prior to the March 7 meeting to further discuss the matter.

In related matters, Pugh reported more waterline breaks in the past two weeks, while some employees were down with the flu. He commended the water and sewer employees for their work and the street and electric employees for their assistance.

Pugh also reported meeting with Belmont County 911 Director Bryan Minder and the possibility of setting up an automated answering service for utility calls so that 911 is not overwhelmed by calls.

“When we have a power outtage or water problem and the calls start going in to 911, they are really pressed to cover them all, and the possibility of a real (emergency) 911 call coming in when they have the amount of traffic they do,” Pugh said, adding that the expected cost was $1,200 yearly and could be in place by April.

“It would only be in effect when the utility office is closed,” he said. “We just want to help 911 out. They agreed originally that they would be able to handle the utility calls, but I don’t think they were even aware of the volume.”

In a prior meeting, councilman Jim Velas also suggested altering the city ordinance forbidding cars to be parked on the street during times of excessive snow. Pugh said the city is considering ordering people to remove their cars in accordance with the emergency snow levels as set by the sheriff.

Council approved the nomination of Karen Iles Burge to the Architectural Board of Review.

The full council of Velas, Perry Basile, Mike Smith, Frank Sabatino, Mark Bukmir, Beth Oprisch, Linda Jordan and Council President Tim Porter were in attendance.