Insurer will reimburse Stonington detective to resolve building official complaint
Howard said he received a call last week from the attorney handling the case for the
Howard said he was pleased he was being reimbursed but was disappointed the dispute had to get to the point of him having to take legal action, especially since he had went to the
Howard had asked the town to either explain why he had to hire the inspector for mechanical work he said he never did in his
"They could have resolved it in July. It would have been cheaper," he said.
Pointing out there have been other complaints about the actions of the town's two building officials, Howard said that he hopes the outcome of his case will show other people that "if they have wronged you, you can stand up to them and be victorious."
The reimbursement is the latest chapter in Howard's complaint about how he said the inspectors treated him after he made some unpermitted improvements at his
Earlier this year Howard complained to First Selectman
Chevalier went to Howard's home to inspect work that Howard had done without first obtaining a permit. Howard said he applied for a permit when he learned he needed one. The town then issued a permit after Howard met certain requirements.
Howard also charged the town inspectors are misinterpreting building codes and exceeding their authority by demanding work and inspections that are not legally required.
Howard has alleged that during Chevalier's visit to his house, the building official declined his offer to remove the sheetrock so he could inspect the work he had done and told Howard he would have to hire a plumber, electrician and mechanical contractor to verify that the proper installations had been made. Howard said he was not sure why an HVAC inspection was needed, as no such work had been done, but Chevalier said air flow could have been altered by the other work.
Howard said Chevalier then told him, "I'm not going to allow anyone to say that I signed off on this just because you're a cop."
In addition, Howard has charged that Simmons called police Chief
Howard has said he was speaking out on behalf of a large group of homeowners, contractors and business owners who have told him they, too, have been subjected to the "rude, condescending and unprofessional treatment" by the two men.
The town investigated Howard's complaints and disciplined Stannard and Chevalier with warnings temporarily placed in their personnel files. Both men filed union grievances appealing their discipline.
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