Municipal hearings officer training is April 25

A free, virtual training program for municipal hearings officers will be held on April 25, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., via Microsoft Teams.

The training will cover the following topics:
• Source of authority and rules for conducting municipal hearings
• Burden of proof, conduct of hearings, and admission of evidence
• Creating, documenting and preserving the record for appeal

The course will be led by former Assistant Attorney General Robert Ritchie and attorney James Lampke, executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association.

Chapter 148A allows for the issuance of citations for certain violations of the State Building and Fire Code by state and local code enforcement officers. In order to participate in the citation process, cities and towns must appoint a certified hearings officer to conduct requested hearings of code violations pursuant to Chapter 148A.

This training provides an opportunity for communities that did not initially participate or that have a need to appoint new or additional hearings officers. Those who wish to participate in the citation process should urge their appointing authority to designate a hearings officer and send that individual to this training.

The training is limited to individuals designated by their appointing authority to serve as a municipal hearings officer, as well as individuals who will issue tickets on behalf of the fire and building departments. Current members of a building or fire department may not serve as hearings officers for violations issued by their own department.

Online registration is available to sign up for the training. Registrants will receive an email containing the course handouts and the Microsoft Teams meeting link. Questions about LMS Registration can be emailed to Registration.DFS-TM-Academy@mass.gov.

Questions about the training may be sent to MaryElizabeth.Lynch@mass.gov.