East Hampton Aims To Improve Building Permit Process With Launch Of OpenGov 2.0

EAST HAMPTN, NY — The Town of East Hampton has aimed to improve the building permit process with the launch of OpenGov 2.0, the hiring of new building department staff members, and additional outside review support, officials announced

OpenGov 2.0 launched on Wednesday, March 4, allowing applicants to more easily complete and submit five types of permits entirely online: residential, commercial, solar, telecommunications, and accessory structures. The system was refined and tested with feedback from members of the local building community to make it easier to use and streamline applications, officials said.

"The building industry is important to our local economy and are taking the steps needed to reduce the backlog," said East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. "We have been focused on strengthening staffing, investing in training, and improving how applications move through the system. We are already seeing progress, and we will continue to build on it so people can navigate the process with greater clarity and confidence."

Town officials noted that strengthening staffing in the building department is a top priority.

Since Richard Normoyle was appointed principal building inspector about six months ago, the town has expanded staffing in the building department and is in the process of adding several new positions to support permit review and administration, including two plans examiners, a senior office assistant, and an office assistant, officials said.

The town is also actively seeking to hire a Spanish-speaking building inspector, officials added.

At the March 5 town board meeting, an account clerk was also hired to support administrative operations and help ensure applications and department records are processed efficiently — those efforts are being implemented to better serve residents and the building community, officials said.

Earlier this year, the town board also approved a resolution to bring back Rich Vacchio to provide continued training support for current and new employees, the supervisor said.

Vacchio brings more than 30 years of experience in municipal building departments, including 20 years as senior building inspector for the Town of Huntington, town officials said.

"These steps allow the department’s leadership to devote more time and attention to reviewing and processing applications," officials said.

Also, to further address application volume and reduce backlogs, the town board has hired CHA Solutions to assist with permit review, town officails said.

CHA is the third outside firm retained to support the building department during "this period of transition and improvement and will work alongside town staff to help move applications through the review process," officials said.

The town has already retained H2M Architects & Engineers and Spaces Architects to assist with permit review.