CALL TO ORDER

The meeting of the Home Inspection Advisory Committee was called to order by Chairman Michael Fitzpatrick at 9:40 a.m. in the Monmouth Conference Room, seventh floor, 124 Halsey Street, Newark, New Jersey. All parties were duly notified of the time, date and place and all pertinent material had been provided.

SUNSHINE LAW ANNOUNCEMENT

Joseph Grabowy read the statement required by Chapter 231, Laws of 1975, known as the Open Public Meetings Act, and announced that notice of the meeting was prepared in the office of the Committee and mailed to the Secretary of State, the Star Ledger, the Courier Post, the Bergen Record and the Atlantic City Press.

ROLL CALL

CMs present:

Michael Fitzpatrick
Michael Del Greco
Daniel Casper

CMs absent: None

Others present: Arthur Russo, Executive Director, Olga E. Bradford, Deputy Attorney General, staff members Joseph Grabowy, Lynn Craddock, Tiona Hobson, and seven members of the public.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

August 7, 2007

The Committee, on a motion by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, second by CM Casper, unanimously voted to approve the minutes of August 7, 2007 as amended.

REPORT OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Executive Director Russo provided the Committee with the following licensing statistics as of September 4, 2007:

Total Licensed Home Inspectors 656

Total Reinstatements Pending 2

Total Suspended Home Inspectors 1

Total Expired Home Inspectors 61

Total Inactive Home Inspectors 71

Total Pending/Incomplete Home Inspector Applications 124*

* Includes application files deemed incomplete, abandoned, and those approved but never activated since the licensure fees were never remitted to the Committee office.

E.D. Russo advised that staff member Ernest Gonzalez will be leaving the Committee staff to pursue a career in law enforcement.

The Committee discussed the subject of abandoned applications, those having no movement for one year, and sought direction from Acting Director DeMarzo regarding the retention of the applications deemed abandoned or whether the applications could be destroyed or returned to the respective applicant.

The Committee, along with DAG Bradford, discussed its prior December 31, 2006 insurance audit at which time licensees with expired certificates of insurance were sent Uniform Penalty Letters. Upon further review, the Committee discussed the current audit process and its difficulties. On a motion by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, second by CM Casper, the Committee voted to suspend its annual audit until such time as the audit process can be refined and performed in a more efficient and effective manner.

Also, the Committee requested that staff write to the three major insurance companies writing errors and omissions insurance coverage for home inspectors in this State and request that the companies consider writing policies which all expire on the same date.

Finally, the Committee requested that its license verification tool on its Website include language prompting consumers to call the Committee office to check the current insurance status for its licensees.

The Committee requested that a memorandum be sent to Acting Director DeMarzo to determine how other Boards and specifically electricians and home improvement contractors, handle expired insurance issues among their licensees.

Incoming Correspondence

#1 Allison Littell McHose, Assemblywoman
Re: Licensure Requirements to Perform Septic Inspections
July 31, 2007

Assemblywoman McHose forwarded a correspondence to the Committee from Robert Blochinger, a NJ licensed home inspector for its consideration. Mr. Blochinger seeks an exemption to N.J.A.C. 1340-15.22(a)2 which requires that all home inspectors who inspect septic systems have additional and specific training and/or education in the requisite field and be credentialed as either a licensed professional engineer or registered as a environmental health specialist.

After reviewing this matter, the Committee will advise Ms. McHose that it is currently reviewing its regulations and will take this matter under advisement.

Outgoing Correspondence

NONE

REVIEW OF HOME INSPECTION APPLICATIONS FOR LICENSURE

On a motion by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, second by CM Casper, the Committee unanimously voted to approve the following applications for licensure:

(A): On a motion by Vice Chairman Del Greco, second by CM Casper, unanimously voted to approve Mr. Neiper’s application.

(B): On a motion by CM Casper, second by Vice Chairman Del Greco, the Committee approved Ms. Davis’s application.

*Approved pending the receipt of an original certificate of insurance.

REVIEW OF CONTINUING EDUCATION COURSES

On a motion by CM Casper, second by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, the Committee unanimously voted to approve the following continuing education courses with the corresponding number of professional development hours (pdh):

PUBLIC COMMENTS

NONE

INFORMATIONAL ITEMS

NONE

MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

On a motion by CM Casper, second by Vice-Chairman Del Greco, the Committee unanimously voted to enter into Executive Session.

RETURN TO PUBLIC

On a motion contained in the Executive Session minutes, the Committee re-entered into Public Session to adjourn.

ADJOURNMENT

On a motion by Committee Chairman Fitzpatrick, second by CM Casper, the Committee voted to adjourn the meeting at 4:15PM.

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