Public Meeting Notice  Board of Building Standards and Regulations Meeting - 4.14.26

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards convened a regular monthly meeting on: 

Microsoft Teams Meeting April 14, 2026 

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:01 AM Chair Lisa Davey called the open meeting to order. 

Informational note: All votes were taken by roll call. Where each member voted in favor, the vote will be reported as unanimous.

Board Members Present

• Lisa Davey, Chair
• Jeffrey Clemons
• Mark Hansen
• Luke McKneally
• Reade Milne
• Vineet Nair
• Sy Nguyen
• Atiya Rahim
• Sarah Wilkinson or Designee – Ross Seavey
• Elizabeth Mahony or Designee – Ian Finlayson
• Jon Davine or Designee – Jake Nunnemacher

Board Members Absent

• David Riquinha, Vice Chair
• Darien Crimmin
• Jason Fershke
• Tarica Leskiw

DOL Staff Present

• Tammy Gropman, Executive Director
• Charles Kilb, Senior Board Counsel
• Andrew Chase, Associate Executive Director

Acknowledged Public Attendees

• Andy Bobola
• David LeBlanc
• Mia Mansfield

1. Reviewed Meeting Minutes.
   1. Meeting minutes for BBRS March 10, 2026: Jeff Clemons motioned to approve BBRS minutes with corrections, seconded by Jake Nunnemacher. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   2. Meeting minutes for BOCC February 3 and March 3, 2026; FPFP January 28, 2026; Residential Code February 12, 2026; Energy Advisory January 23, February 2, and February 23, 2026; Climate Resiliency February 9, 2026. Jake Nunnemacher motioned to approve all subcommittee meeting minutes, seconded by Reade Milne. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Reviewed Administrative Correction
   1. April 2, 2025, 11^th Edition Process Subcommittee Meeting Minutes. Jake Nunnemacher motioned to approve minutes, seconded by Sy Nguyen. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
3. Reviewed Board Counsel Report
   1. Board Counsel Charles Kilb noted there were no matters to discuss. 
4. Review, Discuss – Report from Subcommittees
   1. Andy Bobola stated that BOCC met on April 7, 2026, in Tewksbury, and noted the following:

• March 3, 2026, Meeting Minutes were approved. 
• Members discussed Building Official Clerk Reports and draft language for 780 CMR 110.R7.
• 18 Exam Applications were received, 16 were approved, one was tabled, and one was denied.
• Eight Applications for Certifications were received, seven were approved, and one was tabled.
• 15 New Employee Report Forms were received, ten were approved, and five were tabled.
• Five Extension of Time Requests were received, all were approved.
• 28 Form A submissions were received; all were approved. 
• 21 Form B submissions were received, with some minor revisions all were approved. 
  1. Dave LeBlanc noted that FPFP committee had been reviewing Chapter 4 and 9, as well as code change proposals
  2. Reade Milne stated Residential Code committee met on April 9, 2026 and noted it had been reviewing Request for Interpretation, Chapter 2 definitions, code change proposal for sprinklers, and discussed short-term rentals and lodging houses.

1. Ian Finlayson noted Energy Advisory committee has finished residential provisions and will move on to commercial chapters at next meeting.
2. Mia Mansfield stated Climate Resiliency committee met on March 13 and April 10, 2026, and noted it has finished review of residential provisions and code change proposals, and that a review of commercial provisions would follow. 
3. Reviewed Executive Director Report
   1. Executive Director Tammy Gropman provided CSL totals for March 2026, stating that 229 were issued, 1,779 were renewed, with no reinstatements. Ross Seavey provided update for CSL exam passing rate improving from 30% range to 56%, and attributed change to recent time extension and modification of questions.
4. Reviewed, Voted Coode Change Proposals and Front-End Amendments
   1. Dwelling Units Code Change Proposal submitted by Sarah Alexander, EEA. 
      1. Sarah Alexander provided an overview, noting increased risks to life safety and property when dwelling units are constructed below the base flood elevation. She explained that base flood elevation represents the height of floodwaters during a 1% annual chance flood event and that current Massachusetts code limits areas below this elevation in new construction to non-habitable uses. Sarah Alexander explained that similar restrictions apply to substantial improvements but that a gap exists where alterations below the threshold may still result in new habitable units.
      2. Members discussed the absence of clear language preventing the creation of new dwelling units in existing buildings below base flood elevation where substantial improvement thresholds are not met. Members raised concerns regarding scenarios where use is changed without significant structural alteration, such as converting basements into accessory dwelling units.
      3. Members discussed risks associated with basement dwelling units during flood events, including limited egress and rapid water rise, referencing past storm events where such conditions contributed to fatalities. 
      4. Members discussed applicability across residential and existing building codes, including distinctions between one- and two-family dwellings and multifamily or commercial structures.
      5. Ian Finlayson motioned to delegate code change proposal to Climate Resiliency subcommittee, seconded by Jeff Clemons. Members discussed whether Existing Buildings provisions apply to one- and two-family dwellings, and noted 780 CMR 51 Appendix AJ Existing Buildings and Structures. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
5. Energy Advisory Code Change Proposal Forms and Front-End Amendments
   1. Ian Finlayson provided overview of Members discussed procedural context, noting this was the first set of amendments considered for 780 CMR 11th edition and that review is intended to determine readiness for future public comment as part of a larger package.
      1. Members discussed submission format, including whether proposals should be presented as individual amendments or integrated chapters, noting the need to balance clarity with comprehensive review. Members reviewed Chapter 1 updates, including administrative provisions and references to the 2024 IECC, noting changes largely reflect alignment with the model code rather than policy changes.
      2. Members reviewed Chapter 2 definitions, including accessory dwelling units, all-electric buildings, combustion equipment, and ventilation terms. Members discussed alignment of the accessory dwelling unit definition with state regulations and potential implications for application under the energy code.
      3. Members discussed whether the accessory dwelling unit definition should apply only to “protected” units or more broadly, noting concerns about inconsistent treatment and the intent to align with existing regulatory frameworks.
      4. Members reviewed the proposed definition of “substantial project,” replacing cost-based thresholds with a scope-based metric tied to building envelope area. Members discussed clarity benefits and potential challenges related to calculation and enforcement.
      5. Members discussed administrative and legal requirements for code adoption, noting the need to use front-end amendments due to copyright and publication constraints, and potential challenges in tracking and coordination.
      6. Members discussed voting scope, clarifying that all redlined amendments represent proposed Massachusetts modifications to the 2024 IECC for incorporation into the final regulatory format. Members discussed formatting, numbering, and clarity of amendments, noting minor editorial issues and the need for consistency with existing code structure. No vote was taken.
      7. Members discussed presentation of amendments, including how 10th edition carryover language and 11th edition changes should be displayed, noting all proposed language must be presented for approval.
      8. Members discussed varying subcommittee approaches, including blended and supplemental documents, and emphasized that only front-end amendments will be voted on and consistency across subcommittees is needed. Members discussed coordination between the IECC and IRC Chapter 11, emphasizing the need for consistency to avoid conflicting requirements.
      9. Members discussed formatting for review documents, noting color coding is for internal use only and final submissions must be clean front-end amendments. Members discussed focusing review on proposed 11th edition amendments rather than prior editions to improve clarity.
      10. Members discussed distinguishing code language from instructional text (e.g., “delete” or “amend”), noting such language is for review and may not appear in the final published version. Members discussed structuring submission materials to include both a clean front-end amendment for voting and a supplementary document for review.
      11. Following discussion, a motion was made to standardize internal review format using track changes based on the 2024 model code, with additions and deletions clearly indicated. Members also agreed to develop a guidance document with examples. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
6. Sy Nguyen motioned for the purposes of BBRS review, to use a tracked change format in Microsoft Word showing deletions and additions for subcommittee materials, as well as to produce an example document for different draft conditions, seconded by Luke McKneally. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
7. Ian Finlayson motioned to table Energy Advisory proposals and amendments for next meeting, seconded by Reade Milne. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
8. Review, Discuss, Vote Requests for Interpretation
   1. 2026-04 Substantial Renovation, New Certificate of Occupancy submitted by G. Pelletier.
      1. Reade Milne noted that the Residential Code subcommittee had discussed interpretation and was preparing a document for review at the next BBRS meeting.
9. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of Meeting
10. Jeff Clemons raised question regarding a Request for Interpretation submitted by Sam Jocelyn. E.D. Tammy Gropman noted that the request was being reviewed and would be discussed at the following BBRS meeting.
    1. Chair Davey noted that elections would be held at the May 2026 BBRS meeting, adding that she and Vice-Chair David Riquinha could no longer hold current chair positions. Ian Finlayson thanked Chair Davey and Vice-Chair Riquinha for their years of service.
11. Adjournment – The next meeting is scheduled for April 24, 2026, at 10 AM. 
    1. Jeff Clemons motioned to adjourn, seconded by Jake Nunnemacher. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
    2. The meeting adjourned at 1:53 PM. 

Items Relied Upon During Open Meeting

• Agenda
• Meeting Minutes
• Code Change Proposals
• Front-End Amendments