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Description
May is National Building Safety Month. On this episode of Commissioners Corner, host Lois Leonard is joined by Commissioner Sean Lydon and Supervisor Cheryl Odom of the Boston Inspectional Services Department (ISD) to discuss their plan to “Prevent, Prepare, and Protect”.
The mission of ISD is to serve the public by protecting the health, safety, and environmental stability of Boston's business and residential communities.
A
Welcome
to
commissioner's
corner
I'm
your
host
lois
leonard,
and
thank
you
for
joining
us.
Have
you
heard
what
goes
up
may
come
down?
Well,
that's
the
motto
of
boston's
inspectional
services,
as
they
honor
national
building
safety
month
today,
we'll
hear
their
plan
to
prevent,
prepare
and
protect.
Inspectional
services
is
a
multi-faceted
department
and
we'll
learn
how
important
they
can
be
to
us
in
so
many
ways.
Talking
with
us
is
the
newly
appointed
commissioner,
sean
lydon
and
supervisor
of
building
and
structures,
cheryl
odom.
So
thank
you
both
so
much
for
joining
us
today.
A
B
Building
safety
month
is,
is
the
month
of
may
implemented
by
the
international
code
council.
The
the
unite.
The
state
of
massachusetts
follows
the
icc,
along
with
the
massachusetts
amendments
for
building
code,
and
obviously
we
have
local
zoning
regulations
in
the
city
of
boston.
What
it
does
it's,
it's
it's
it's
a
way
to
shed
light
on
possible
repairs
that
can
be
made
potential
hazards
and
potential
costly
fixes
to
buildings
in
in
by
taking
a
look.
A
lot
of
these
can
be
mitigated
long
before
they
become
a
hazard
or
potential
much
more
costly.
B
B
We
have
awareness
trying
to
bring
light,
bring
awareness
by
you
know
if
you
see
something
something
may
be
wrong
and
once
again
it
doesn't
hurt
the
question
and
we
at
isd
we're
more
than
willing
to
help
and
more
than
willing
to
take
site
visits
and
answer
questions
and
identify
potential
hazards
long
before
once
again
they
get
to
a
safety
problem,
a
safety
issue
or
a
potential.
You
know
large
cost
fix.
C
A
Well,
I
would
imagine
that
identifying
problems
in
a
proactive
manner
might
be
extremely
helpful
and
we're
talking
about
both
residential
and
commercial
properties.
Can
you
give
me
an
example,
perhaps
of
how
you
know
any
tenant
of
any
building
they
can
if
they
notice
something
in
a
building?
How
can
they
proactively
be
involved
and
help?
A
C
They
can
notify
the
ownership
of
the
building
or
the
management
team
of
the
building
say,
for
example,
they're
walking
their
dog
around
the
building.
They
look
up
and
they
notice
that
some
of
the
mortar
joints
are
are
thin
or
worn
and
there's
concrete
little
bits
around
the
building
as
they
walk.
They
may
want
to
mention
it
to
management
and
say
hey.
I
know
it's
a
bunch
of
concrete
some
water
on
the
ground.
C
Is
it
coming
from
the
joints
up
above
and
that
would
proactively
get
them
engaged
and
properly
following
our
facade
program,
that
has
been
instituted
for
quite
some
time
now,
as
well
as
if
they're,
walking
and
and
they're
looking
across
the
street,
and
they
see
a
chimney,
leaning
chimney
typically
stands
straight
and
tall.
There
could
be
a
structural
failure
there.
A
Sure,
but
you
know
the
simple
things
can
really
go
a
long
way.
I'm
sure
true,
so
well,
as
the
commissioner
mentioned
mayor,
janie
did
issue
a
proclamation
designating
may
as
national
building
safety
month.
What's
the
next
step
in
making
this
campaign
a
success
either
one
of
you
whoever
would
like
to
jump
in.
B
Okay,
basically
mayor
james
mayor
janie,
is
going
to
do
a
walkthrough
with
with
with
the
inspectors
from
isd.
What
and
we're
going
to
begin
with
in
the
north
end
and
I'd
like
to
expand
a
little
bit
on
what
supervisor
rodem
said
with
masonry
structures.
The
north
end
is
an
absolutely
stunning
part
of
the
city,
a
beautiful
architecture.
It
goes
quite
a
way
back,
which
is
you
know,
gorgeous
detail
that
you
don't
see
in
a
lot
of
other
cities
in
the
united
states.
It.
B
Very
very
special
and
mayor
janey
is
going
to
walk
in
conjunction
with
the
inspectors
of
isd
and
bring
awareness
to
different
possible
potential
issues.
Masonry
is,
is
actually
absorbs
water,
it
will
absorb
water,
water
will
get
behind
certain
elements,
facades
of
buildings
and
there's
a
freeze,
thaw
cycle.
You
know,
obviously
with
the
weather
here
in
new
england.
You
have
two
extremes
and
it
does
create
potential
hazards
as
as
mortar
joints
as
supervisors.
B
A
Supervisor
odom,
maybe
you
can
help
me
out
with
this
one.
We've
talked
about
some
mortar,
but
as
inspectors
do
walk
throughs
like
this,
whether
it's
it's
with
mayor
janie
or
on
any
other
typical
day.
What
are
some
of
the
other
things
that
inspectors
can
actually
see?
You
know,
with
the
visual
eye
as
they're
doing
a
walk
through
like
this.
C
Well,
we
can
notice
roof
lines,
whether
or
not
the
shingles
are
dried
out
and
causing
water
infiltration
there.
We
can
see
paint
peeling
on
balusters
on
decking,
which
means
that
the
wood
composite
has
absorbed
water,
which
is
now
not
allowing
that
barrier
paint
to
be
another
layer
of
protectiveness
like
our
skin.
Okay.
So
with
that
over
time,
people
walk
on
it,
you
get
holes
in
them
and
the
planking
are
in
the
decking.
It
becomes
weak.
Sometimes
you
see
the
nails
pop
on
that
and
that's
a
tripping
hazard.
C
A
B
Absolutely
the
city's
ready.
You
know
here
at
isd,
we're
readily
available.
You
know
if
the
individuals
want
to
reach
out
to
us,
our
award
inspectors
would
be
more
than
happy
to
walk
a
proc
that
walk,
walk,
a
property
with
an
individual
homeowner.
You
know
and
have
them
if
they
have
a
concern
about
something
you
know
be
it
porches
once
again,
fire
escapes
our
inspectors
are
very,
very
capable
of
pointing
out
certain
situations
and
guiding
them
through
the
process.
B
A
B
If
a
violation
is
found
dependent
upon
the
severity
of
it,
you
know
we
will
actually
we
we
will
take
action
as
supervisor
wrote
and
said
we
are,
you
know
we're
basically
we're
we're
a
public
safety
agency
and
we
have
to
take
action,
but
chances
are
that
it's
not
at
a
point
at
a
critical
point.
We
will
work
with
the
individual,
the
homeowner,
the
resident,
the
renter,
the
property
commercial
business
owner.
Let's,
let's,
let's
get
it
done.
I'd
like
to
also
point
out.
B
You
know
in
a
lot
of
situations,
there's
brilliant
resources
available
through
department
and
neighborhood
development.
You
know
in
the
city
of
boston
they
can,
they
can
reach
out.
Perhaps
there
might
be
some
resources
available
to
individuals.
You
know
particularly
the
homeowners
and
as
far
as
some
help
goes
there
in
the
in
the
financial
aspect.
A
B
We
are
basically,
we
have
facebook
and
twitter.
You
know
we
have
our
media
staff.
Lisa
timberlake
does
a
fantastic
job
of
reaching
out
and
local
newspapers
and
in
the
neighborhood
newspapers,
and
we're
very,
very
young,
she's,
very
adept
and
very,
very
good
at
reaching
out
and
the
help
that
isd
can
offer.
A
B
Later
in
the
month,
we
have
basically
the
whole
month
of
may
is
dedicated
and
at
any
point
in
time
anybody
can
reach
out
to
us.
You
know,
obviously,
during
the
whole
year,
but
we're
dedicating
may
as
as
as
a
user-friendly
and
we're
going
to
get
out.
We're
going
to
be
out
in
the
neighborhoods
may
is
the
time
traditionally
in
the
springtime
people
are
going
to
be
outside
looking
at
their
property,
you
know
attending
their
garden,
let's,
let's,
let's
keep
boston,
beautiful
and
safe,
and
so
we're
we're.
B
Basically,
you
know
we're
going
to
be
out
and
around
the
neighborhoods.
You
know
we're
willing
to
reach
out
we're
going
to
have.
We
have
beautiful
door,
knocking
wonderful
door
knockers
with
great
information
that
we'd
like
to
drop
off
and
have
people
reach
out
to
us
and
we're
more
than
willing
to
help.
A
B
Well,
yeah
we're
actually
discussing
right
now
in
the
middle
of
discussing
different
types
of
clinics
and
online
walk-throughs
for
permitting
processes
and
and
very
simplified,
and
we
have
to
give
great
great
kudos
to
our
I.t
team.
Also
who
made
it
so
easy
during
the
last
year
made
it
very,
very
simplified.
As
far
as
you
know,
permitting
online.
A
B
Absolutely
that'll,
be
there
and
that'll
be
once
again
it'll
be
on
our
social
media
sites.
You
know
how
to
sign
up
and
we'll
be
giving
a
presentation
with
chief
irish,
obviously
you
know,
and
and
mayor
kim
janey
will
be
giving
different
presentations
on
different
very
on
various
topics
on
what
to
look
for.
You
know
what
to
see
and
how
to
go
about
the
promoting
process
and
stuff.
Well,.
A
We
definitely
want
to
let
the
public
know
about
that.
That's
a
very
important
tool
for
for
people
to
to
take
advantage
of
commissioner,
you
mentioned
earlier,
or
maybe
it
was
supervisor
odom.
I
apologize,
but
I
heard
the
phrase
boston's
facade
ordinance
now
I
have
to
admit
I
don't
know
what
that
is.
Can
you
perhaps
one
of
you
explain
that
what
the
facade
ordinance
is.
C
C
C
Nowadays
we
have
drones.
They
go
and
take
little
pictures
of
different
sides
of
the
building
the
north
side,
the
west
side,
one
that
has
the
most
exposure
to
the
sun,
one
that
has
the
least
exposure
to
the
sun
and
the
wear
and
tear
of
the
building.
In
that
report.
There
are
recommendations
made
by
the
engineer
on
how
to
keep
the
facade
intact.
C
C
A
C
Yes
and
not
to
mention
just
the
weather,
as
commissioner
lyden
mentioned,
we
have
a
winter
here.
So
when
it
rains
and
let's
say
you
have
a
fire
balcony
connected
to
a
a
brick
building
and
the
water
gets
behind
the
actual
attachment,
we
have
a
three
a
freeze
star
freeze
when
it
freezes
when
it's
cold
thoughts
when
it's
warm.
So
we
have
this
movement
and
with
this
movement,
sometimes
those
attachments
become
detached,
and
that's
where
the
structural
engineer
or
the
licensed
professional
would
give
us
of
the
status
of
the
report.
A
C
Is
you
are
correct?
I
mean
water
infiltration
into
a
building,
can
lead
to
mold
upper
respiratory
problems.
If
it's
not
addressed,
if,
let's
say,
for
example,
you
have
a
downspout
on
your
building
and
you
don't
have
an
elbow
or
or
some
sort
of
deviation
away
from
your
foundation,
you
can
actually
have
that
water
keep
pressing
down
on
the
ground
on
the
asphalt
and
cause
holes
and
damage
to
your
foundation.
A
Right
and
a
lot
of
the
high
winds
that
we've
had
in
recent
weeks
and
months
has
blown
a
lot
of
those
things
away
from
from,
as
you
talk
about
the
u-joints
and
the
so
good
advice,
good
things
to
think
about
that,
we
have
to
think
about,
but
you
know
for
new
developers.
I
would
imagine
that
trying
to
process
all
of
the
the
rules
and
regulations
and
the
paperwork
that
has
to
be
filed.
How
does
that
could
be
challenging?
B
It's
it's
it's
once
again,
rit
team.
You
know
they
really
stepped
up
to
the
plate
and
this
past
year,
as
you
know,
obviously,
with
social
distancing.
You
know
we
were
very
limited
in
the
capabilities
to
have
individuals
commit
to
1010
and
apply
for
permits
in
person
paper
trail,
it
is
very,
very
user
friendly.
Once
again
you
go
to
our
website
city
of
boston
website,
isd
permitting
and
if,
if
the
individual
is
having
a
difficult
time,
always
very
welcome
to
reach
out
and
we
will
guide
them
one-on-one,
you
know
right
through
the
phone.
B
A
As
you
said,
this
pandemic
year
is
it's
just
been
horrific
for
in
many
many
ways,
but
and
through
it
only
essential
well,
not
for
through
a
good
part
of
it.
Only
essential
construction
was
allowed.
Are
you
experiencing?
Is
your
department
now
experiencing
a
backlog
of
requests?
Are
you
how's?
How
are
you
handling
the
workload.
B
I
think
now
it's
basically
now,
with
the
weather
coming
around
and
kind
of
a
breath
of
fresh
air.
Coming
from
from
from
the
governor
yeah
to
mayor
jamie
and
opening
up
restrictions
easing
a
little
bit,
it
seems
like
people
are
chomping
at
the
bit
to
get
out
to
make
repairs.
Once
again
our
staff
we're
working
remotely.
B
There
are
the
resources
to
process
permits
to
ask
for
additional
information,
and
we've
been
doing
that,
and
particularly
in
the
next
coming
months,
we
will
see
a
huge
uptick
in
permitting
applications,
but
we
intend
to
meet
that
head-on
and
we
will
we'll
greet
it.
We're
looking
looking
to
get
the
city
open,
looking
to
get
people
back
to
work
and
more
so
we
have
done
an
outstanding
job.
In
my
opinion,
as
far
as
a
city
goes
as
far
as
keeping
people
to
keep
a
critical
applications
open,
we
have
done
that.
A
B
I
think
priorities
you
know
small
businesses
for
the
most
part,
let's
get
the
neighborhood
businesses
up
and
at
them
let's
give
them
the
attention
the
focus,
the
resources,
let's
get
them
inspected.
Let's
get
the
health.
You
know
the
health
inspection.
Let's
get
the
certifications
done,
let's
focus
on
the
small
businesses.
You
know
the
the
larger
construction
companies
they've
done
a
spectacular
job
as
far
as
their
covert
policy
goes,
their
implementation
of
such
policy
and
the
recommendations
that
they
have
made.
We
have,
we
have.
We
have
accommodated
them.
B
A
B
Think
we
touched
bases
pretty
well,
and
I
appreciate
your
time
and
your
the
opportunity
to
to
you
know
use
use
you
as
a
medium
basically
to
get
the
message
of
isd
we're
here
for
you.
We
are
here
to
serve
the
people
of
the
city
of
boston.
We
are
obviously
we
are
a
regulatory
party,
but
we're
here
to
serve
it's
our
job
to
to
take
care
of
the
people
of
the
city
of
boston.
A
Thank
you
thank
you
for
that
and
we'll
do
our
best
to
get
the
word
out,
we'll
get
all
the
websites
and
information
on
our
screen
as
well.
So
that's
helpful
and
I
have
a
feeling
there's
going
to
be
much
more
to
discuss
in
the
near
future,
so
I
hope
well
we'll
see
both
of
you
back
here
on
the
show
soon.
Thank
you
so
much
for
joining
us.
Thank.
A
You
for
more
information,
please
visit
isd's
social
media
platforms,
twitter
at
isd,
boston,
facebook
at
city
of
boston,
isd
and
their
website.
Boston.Gov
isd
and
thank
you.
Our
viewers
for
watching
boston
is
one
of
our
country's
oldest
cities
and
it's
our
responsibility
to
keep
it
safe
and
structurally
sound
so
that
we
can
continue
to
thrive
and
meet
our
expectations
for
the
future.
We
want
our
neighborhoods
to
be
here
for
a
very
long
time.
I'm
lois,
leonard
and
we'll
see
you
next
time
on
commissioner's.