Michael Palumbo, HBRA Exec. Vice President, Paul Zeiss, Stamford’s Coordinator of Inspection and Plan Review, Mary Boudreau, HBRA President, State Rep. Carlos Leone (D-Stamford)
In what is an annual tradition to show support for the work that building inspectors do, The Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Fairfield County (HBRA) has awarded its “2009 Building Official of the Year” to Paul Zeiss, Coordinator of Inspection and Plan Review for the City of Stamford, and Leo Null, Building Official for the City of Danbury. This year’s joint nomination of two highly regarded municipal building officials was celebrated at the association’s annual Building Officials Night held on March 4 at Giovanni’s in Darien, and attended by the HBRA membership, Connecticut’s State Building Inspector Lisa Humble, and District 8 building officials from neighboring communities.
Mary Boudreau, President of the HBRA, a non-profit trade organization representing area builders, remodelers, land developers and allied services, says the occasion is a way for the membership to show respect for the important work that building inspectors do to help guide a project from start to finish.
“Our members are able to provide a high level of service and quality thanks to the input we receive from our county building officials, who help guide builders through a project from start to finish,” notes Boudreau. “This is also an important opportunity for our builders, remodelers and associates to collaborate with officials from different municipalities and to network together on mutual goals.”
“I’m very proud to receive this award,” comments Paul Zeiss. “A little guidance makes a builder’s job easier and in turn, also makes the field inspector’s job easier. It’s important to be honest, open and helpful so we can keep a project moving forward and not delay it.”
Leo Null says he is delighted to be acknowledged by the HBRA, whose members he has worked with for years.
“I don’t think a project can be successfully built without consistency on the part of our building inspectors and a willingness to listen,” states Null. “HBRA members are seasoned professionals who understand the code process and are able to help us move a project forward quickly.”
Both Zeiss and Null worked in the building trades for a number of years prior to joining municipal government. Zeiss has worked for the City of Stamford for 29 years and Null has been Danbury’s Chief Building Official for 26 years. Both say that residential and commercial development is strong in Stamford and Danbury, despite the challenging economic conditions that prevail for builders.
The Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Fairfield County is a comprehensive resource for its members, consumers and the community. They are dedicated to representing and advancing the interests of the home building, remodeling and land development industries in Fairfield County. They serve as a resource for consumers to find registered builders and licensed tradespeople and are a valuable community partner with the Vision Fund, Inc and its work with local charities. For more information, call: (203) 355-7008 or e-mail: hbra@fairfieldcountyhba.com. To learn more about the organization, visit: www.fairfieldcountyhba.com.
