Public Meeting Notice  Board of Building Standards and Regulations Meeting - 5.12.26

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Meeting ID: 256 128 585 901 05 

Passcode: Xi9ec7jj 

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Meeting phone number:+1 857-327-9245,,549419396# United States, Boston

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Phone conference ID: 549 419 396# 

In accordance with the provisions of G.L. c. 30A § 20, notice is hereby given that the Board of Building Regulations and Standards will be convening a regular monthly meeting. 

If you need reasonable accommodation to participate in the meeting, please reach out to Cheryl Yebba at 617- 701-8711. The Agency will make best efforts to accommodate requests received in a timely manner.

Microsoft Teams Meeting May 12^th, 2026 

The topics shown below were discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 10:05 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
• David Riquinha, Vice-Chair
• Jeffrey Clemons
• Darien Crimmin
• Jason Ferschke
• Mark Hansen
• Luke McKneally
• Reade Milne
• Vineet Nair
• Sy Nguyen
• Atiya Rahim
• Jon Davine or Designee – Jake Nunnemacher
• Elizabeth Mahony or Designee – Ian Finlayson
• Sarah Wilkinson or Designee – Ross Seavey

Board Members Absent

• 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
• Rebecca Haney
• John Nunnari

1. Voted Chair and Vice Chair Positions
   1. Chair Nominations - Lisa Davey nominated Reade Milne as next BBRS Chair, seconded by David Riquinha. Reade Milne accepted nomination. No other nominations were made.  A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
   2. Vice-Chair Nominations - Lisa Davey nominated Luke McKneally as next BBRS Vice-Chair, seconded by David Riquinha. Luke McKneally declined nomination. Luke McKneally nominated Sy Nguyen, seconded by Jake Nunnemacher. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
2. Reviewed Meeting Minutes
   1. BBRS minutes from April 14^th, 2026
   2. Ian Finlayson motioned to approve minutes, seconded by Ross Seavey. A roll call vote was held, Darien Crimmin and Jason Ferschke abstained, none opposed. Motion passed with majority.
   3. BCAB minutes from November 6^th & 18^th 2025, December 4^th & 23^rd 2025, January 8^th & 20^th 2026, & February 5^th, 2026
   4. Jake Nunnemacher motioned to approve all BCAB meeting minutes, seconded by Ross Seavey. A roll call vote was held, Mark Hansen abstained, none opposed. Motion passed with majority.
   5. FPFP meeting minutes from February 11^th & 25^th, 2026, March 11^th & 25^th, 2026
   6. Jake Nunnemacher motioned to approve all FPFP minutes, seconded by Luke McKneally. A roll call vote was held, Mark Hansen abstained, none opposed. Motion passed with majority.
   7. Residential Code meeting minutes from February 26^th, 2026, March 12^th & 26^th 2026 
   8. Jake Nunemacher motioned to approve meeting minutes, seconded by Darien Crimmin. A roll call vote was held, Mark Hansen abstained, none opposed. Motion passed with majority.
3. Reviewed Board Counsel Report
   1. Board Counsel Charles Kilb noted he would be meeting with several members regarding BCAB business tabled under advisement in 2025.
4. Reviewed Report from Subcommittees
   1. BOCC 
      1. Andy Bobola noted that the BOCC had not yet met in May. 
5. FP/FP
   1. Dave LeBlanc noted FPFP was working on finalizing discussions on Chapter 4 and would be moving to Chapter 9.
6. Residential Code
   1. Reade Milne noted the Residential subcommittee met on May 7^th, discussed signposting language, and voted to approve several carry-over chapters from 10^th edition. 
7. Energy Advisory
   1. Ian Finlayson noted the Energy Advisory subcommittee had completed review of residential chapters and had moved to a review of commercial provisions.
   2. Climate Resiliency
      1. Rebecca Haney noted the Climate Resiliency committee had reviewed assigned chapters regarding flood hazards and coastal dunes and completed review of all four code change proposals.
8. Reviewed Executive Director Report
   1. Accessibility Updates
      1. Executive Director Tammy Gropman provided update on digital accessibility and noted that format for agenda, minutes, and associated forms would be updated. 
9. Construction Supervisor License
   1. Executive Director Tammy Gropman noted Construction Supervisor License totals for April 2026, with 328 new licenses issued and 1,452 renewed. Gropman noted that numbers are up from April 2025, during which time 143 new licenses were issued.
      1. David Riquinha raised question regarding cause of the increase. Ross Sevey noted ongoing review of questions with exam vendor and the one hour increase for testing, stating the pass rate is now closer to 60 percent. 
10. Reviewed and Voted Request for Interpretation
    1. RFI 2026-04 submitted by G. Pelletier – The BBRS reviewed a draft response provided by the Residential Subcommittee
       1. Ian Finlayson motioned to approve Request for Interpretation as submitted, seconded by Sy Nguyen.  The chair called for discussion before calling the vote. 
       2. Members discussed when renovations or alterations require a new Certificate of Occupancy versus a Certificate of Completion. 
11. The discussion focused on code sections related to changes “in whole or in part” of a structure, with members noting ambiguity and inconsistent application. Members emphasized that the current code effectively leaves this determination to the discretion of the local building official, particularly in assessing whether a structure is unoccupiable or unsafe. Legal counsel advised caution with an interpretation that makes the building official responsible for a decision without any guidance. 
    1. There was substantial discussion about refining language (e.g., “uninhabitable,” “isolated additions,” and system removal such as wiring), but concern grew that the proposed interpretation went beyond interpreting code and instead provided prescriptive guidance. 
12. Ian Finlayson amended motion to reflect edits to text, then rescinded motion. Jeffrey Clemons motioned to take no action, Sy Nguyen seconded. Jeffrey Clemons rescinded motion. Jeffrey Clemons motioned to that BBRS takes no action on Request for Interpretation adding that current language is adequate, seconded by Sy Nguyen. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
13. Reviewed and Voted Code Change Proposal Forms and Front-End Amendments
    1. IECC 2024 Res Chapter 1 and 2
       1. Members discussed formatting and substance of proposed amendments. Board Counsel Charles Kilb explained the front-end amendment format per the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s requirements. The Board clarified that final votes must be on clean “front-end amendment” language, while tracked versions are for review. Members discussed definitions regarding accessory dwelling units and whether to align with 760 CMR or maintain independent building code definitions. Members discussed size thresholds and whether provisions should apply only to accessory dwelling units or more broadly to small dwelling units. Members also discussed definitions such as “substantial improvement/project” and concerns about removing cost-based triggers. 
       2. Members reviewed proposed amendments including window performance requirements, duct system placement, and ventilation standards. Discussion on windows focused on lowering U-factor requirements for new construction while allowing exceptions for historic buildings; members raised concerns about cost impacts and how historic status is defined. There was also discussion of requiring ducts to be located within conditioned space, with exceptions, and updating ventilation efficiency standards based on newer code versions. Luke McKneally motioned to accept amendments as presented with the understanding that they would be cleaned up in a finalized format, seconded by Ross Seavey. In discussion, members indicated that they had additional concerns with the language.  Counsel indicated that there would be additional opportunities for the Board to weigh in, however, the process would be burdened if matters could not be finalized, so he recommended that they not vote on anything until they feel it is ready. Luke McKneally rescinded his motion to facilitate further discussion. 
14. Jake Nunnemacher noted agenda item #8 and motioned to suspend present discussion to open the statutory public hearing, seconded by Jeff Clemons. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. (see below)
15. Members returned to discussion under item #7a. Members discussed the proposed reduction from 900 to 800 square feet for small dwelling unit provisions, with concerns raised that the change represented a significant reduction in usable space and lacked a clear technical basis. Several members favored retaining the 900-square-foot threshold, citing consistency with existing ADU designs, ease of enforcement, and alignment with how building officials and designers typically evaluate floor area. Discussion also focused on whether “gross floor area” or “conditioned floor area” should be used and the need for a clearly defined term in the code.
16. IECC 2024 Res R 401-403
    1. Members discussed window efficiency standards, historic building treatment, duct system placement, EV-ready requirements, and HERS rating provisions. Ian Finlayson provided an overview explaining that the proposed window amendments would create separate standards for new construction, replacement windows, and historic buildings, rather than using a single statewide requirement. 
       1. Members discussed balancing stricter energy performance standards with affordability and historic preservation concerns, particularly for communities such as Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard where historic review requirements can limit window options. Discussion included whether the proposed historic language was too narrowly tied to historic commissions and whether broader “historic building review” language would be more appropriate. Members also reviewed proposed updates requiring ducts to be installed within conditioned space where feasible, based on newer IECC language intended to reduce air leakage and moisture issues.
17. IECC 2024 Res R 404-407
    1. The Board then discussed EV-ready provisions and HERS pathway amendments. Ian explained that the EV-ready language largely carried forward existing Massachusetts stretch and specialized code provisions while aligning them with IECC stringency levels and updating references to modern charging standards. Members raised concerns about how EV-ready requirements apply to duplexes and clustered townhouse-style developments, especially regarding the number of required EV-capable parking spaces and electrical service impacts. There was also discussion about ensuring references to the Massachusetts Electrical Code were cited consistently and appropriately. 
       1. Additional discussion focused on HERS rating tables, including treatment of accessory dwelling unit conversions, terminology changes from “accessory dwelling unit” to “small dwelling unit,” and how alterations and conversions should be classified for energy compliance purposes. Several technical corrections and clarifications were identified, including a missing footnote related to ADU conversions. 
18. Luke McKneally motioned to table the remainder of discussion for the following meeting, seconded by Mark Hansen. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously. 
19. Statutory public hearing pursuant to M.G.L. c. 143, §97
    1. Vice-Chair Riquinha opened the public hearing, noted there were no outstanding petitions, and opened the floor to the public. No public comment was provided. 
    2. Jake Nunnemacher motioned to close public hearing and return to agenda item #7, seconded by Mark Hansen. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
20. Matters Not Reasonably Anticipated 48 Hours in Advance of Meeting
    1. No matters were discussed. 
21. Adjournment – The next meeting is scheduled for June 9^th, 2026, at 10 AM. 
    1. Jeff Clemons motioned to adjourn, seconded by Luke McKneally. A roll call vote was held, none opposed, none abstained. Motion passed unanimously.
    2. The meeting adjourned at 2:02 PM. 

Items Relied Upon During Open Meeting

• Agenda
• Draft Meeting Minutes
• Request for Interpretation 2026-04 with draft response
• Code Change Proposals from the Energy Advisory Committee
• Front-End Amendments to the International Energy Conservation Code

It is anticipated that the topics shown below will be discussed at the aforementioned meeting: 

1. Vote Chair and Vice Chair Positions
2. Review/Vote Minutes of the following meetings: 
   1. BBRS minutes from April 14, 2026
   2. BCAB minutes from November 6, 2025, November 18, 2025, December 4, 2025, December 23, 2025, January 8, 2026, January 20, 2026, February 5, 2026
   3. FPFP minutes from February 11, 2026, February 25, 2026, March 11, 2026, March 25, 2026
   4. Residential Code minutes from February 26, 2026, March 12, 2026, March 26, 2026 
3. Review/Discuss Board Counsel Report
4. Review/Discuss Report from Subcommittees
   1. BOCC
   2. FP/FP
   3. Residential Code
   4. Energy Advisory
   5. Climate Resiliency
5. Review/Discuss Executive Director Report
   1. Accessibility updates
   2. Construction Supervisor License
      1. Totals for the month of April 2026 including waivers and reinstatements
6. Review/Discuss/Vote Request for Information
   1. RFI 2026-04 submitted by G. Pelletier
7. Review/Discuss/ Vote Code Change Proposal Forms and Front-End Amendments
   1. IECC 2024 Res Chapter 1 and 2
   2. IECC 2024 Res R 401-403
   3. IECC 2024 Res R 404-407
   4. IECC 2024 Res R 408
   5. IECC 2024 Res Chapter 5
   6. IECC 2024 Res Chapter 6
8. Statutory public hearing pursuant to M.G.L. c. 143, §97 
   1. No outstanding petitions
9. Discuss matters not reasonably anticipated by the chair, 48 hours in advance of the meeting

Adjournment – the next scheduled meeting is June 9, 2026