Belfield discusses need for proper permits

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BELFIELD — Belfield City Council discussed the need to remind people doing renovations to public buildings that they need to follow the asbestos regulations set forth by the North Dakota Department of Health Compliance Requirements.

Mayor Leo Schneider asked at Monday’s city council meeting at city hall if the rule applies to older buildings where it is already determined that there is no asbestos present.

City auditor Cindy Ewoniuk said that the regulations do exclude renovations to some buildings, but if the building is not excluded, the proper permits must be obtained and displayed in plain sight.

“This is for the renovation period that they have to follow this,” she said.

“The Department of Health just wants to remind us that it is our responsibility to make the information available to people doing renovations. If they are renovating with a permit, then we have to get the health department involved,” she added

Councilman Harold Kubischta said that people renovating old buildings, especially the buildings on Main Street where most of the renovation of old buildings is occurring, could be cited for violating the city ordinance.

He said renovators could be turned into the law enforcement if they do not obtain or fail to post the proper permits in spots where they are visible to the public while renovations are going on.

He added that the citation can only be issued by an officer of the court if someone does not have or does not display the proper applications while doing their building renovations in the city.

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