Approval of a Hennessey ordinance dealing with construction and building codes failed again last Thursday night in a 2-2 vote. The tie came after local builders complained again about high permit costs and the need for an in-house building inspector.

Mayor Bert Gritz and Vice Mayor Clif Vogt voted to approve the ordinance and Trustees Richard Simunek and Harold Shaw voted no. Trustee Keith Meek was absent.

It took a 3-2 vote of trustees at their July 8 meeting to postpone action until July 29 with Meek joining Simunek and Shaw for the delay.

It’s now on the calendar for the Aug. 12 meeting.

Local builder Jay Ladwig said he was working on Scott Hajek’s meat processing plant (on the north side of State Highway 51) and needed to verify that the concrete had been poured, but was told the inspector wasn’t coming back.

The town’s current inspector, Charles Decassios, lives in the Mustang area and is an employee of Institute of Building Technology and Safety (IBTS). That’s the same organization that has recommended the proposed new construction ordinance that Ladwig and others in the building industry have complained about.

“We’re actively working to fill that position locally,” said Tiffany Tillman, town administrator, after last week’s meeting. (Note: Hiring an inspector was on the board’s May agenda for action, but none was taken.)

Ladwig, who also opposed the new ordinance at the July 8 meet-ing, said during last week’s meeting he recently had two inspections from the town approved through (site photos) texts and phone calls from “Charlie.”

Tillman said they were trying to help him so he didn’t have to wait another 24 hours.

Hennessey has 48 hours to make an inspection while others, including Kingfisher, make them in 24 hours, said Ladwig.

Tillman said Kingfisher’s website shows 48 hours.

Montie Bullis, another Hennessey builder, said it worked much better four years ago when the town had an inspector on site, instead of an outside inspector.

Mayor Gritz said the town is trying to hire an inhouse inspector.

“We want to make some changes,” Trustee Simunek told the builders.

Ladwig and Bullis agreed that David Treanor, a current town employee, would do a good job, or maybe Bobby Upton, a local construction owner, would also be a good inspector.

Tillman said she didn’t know if Treanor would want to take on more duties. Treanor is currently in charge of the upkeep at the parks and cemetery.

Ladwig said the current inspector is “marginally qualified, or never comes.”

“What are you calling marginally qualified?” asked Tillman, then said the inspector has passed and qualified for all of the courses necessary for the job.

“If I read a book on flying would you want to get into a plane with me at the controls?” asked Ladwig, who is also a pilot. He said “experience” is important.

Tillman said the inspector has to complete a 15- page ISO (Insurance Services Office) report on all permits.

Ladwig has questioned the town’s use of IBTS’s proposed changes and rates and asked how much the town is paying them, but Tillman didn’t have the numbers.

All new costs and procedures will have to be passed on to the home owner, or customer, said Ladwig.

Tillman said those new procedures are necessary for the town to make sure that homeowners are protected.

Ladwig said while he is building three homes in the Osborn Addition, there are other people on Arapaho Street who have had dilapidated mobile homes there for a few years.

He said the town hasn’t done anything about them.

“He is just thumbing his nose at you,” Ladwig told the board, but mentioned no names.

There were also comments that not all lot sizes are the same and someone asked how much space could be used for building per lot.

Ladwig said 25% per lot or 30% on a corner lot. and Bullis, others in the audience there about the proposed new ordinance were local realtor Chris Fuksa and local farmer/ businessman/developer Scott Hajek, and his wife, Karel.

In addition to Tillman also at the meeting were Town Clerk Kati Walters who also serves as meeting minutes clerk.