Chances are pretty good that Bob Speaker has been inside your house or maybe your neighbor's.

The longtime building official has inspected more than 950 new homes built in Barrington. He has also inspected numerous renovations, additions, decks, porches and sheds. 

More than three decades as the town's building inspector and zoning officer has offered Mr. Speaker a unique perspective of Barrington — one filled with floor joists and drywall, electrical work and insulation, zoning laws and construction regulations. 

But on May 31, Mr. Speaker will officially retire.

When asked why he was stepping down, the longtime town official offered a simple response: "Thirty-four years."

Mr. Speaker's departure will leave numerous roles vacant in the town's building department. 

"They'll have to have a building official. They'll need a zoning officer. I don't know how that will pan out," he said. "Mechanical and plumbing, they'll have to hire a licensed person to do that. (Electrical) … maybe a part-time position. That's not my call. That will be the town manager."

Mr. Speaker, who also works as the sealer of weights and measures in Barrington, said he has enjoyed his time with the town.

"I like meeting the people," he said. "The construction aspect of it is enjoyable."

Mr. Speaker said the work has some challenges.

"Over the years, we have to get accredited by the state, and it gets very time consuming… You have to go to these different classes — building and zoning to keep your different accreditation," he said. "It's … time consuming, and it takes away from the desk part of the job, and the inspections, if I have to go to these classes. Over the years it's gotten more and more. It's just hard managing your time."

Mr. Speaker said his goal has always been to prioritize the residents' projects.

"When you have someone that wants to pour a foundation that day and I have to go to a class, it's difficult to try to balance. They have their job to do. I understand that. I try to accommodate them," Mr. Speaker said. "I'll tell him I'll be there at 11 o'clock that morning, I'll give you a half-hour of time."

Mr. Speaker normally spends the first half of each day at his desk, handling the paperwork and scheduling requirements of his job. After lunch, Mr. Speaker takes to the road to complete inspections of all types. He carefully maps his route, so as to maximize his time and efficiency. 

The inspections range from single-family homes to large multi-unit developments, such as the Palmer Pointe project on Sowams Road. 

"The way I've always looked at it, a project is important to that person. The guy doing the toolshed, that's important to him. The only thing he cares about is his toolshed," Mr. Speaker said. "I've always understood that."

Barrington build-out

Barrington today looks much different than it did when Mr. Speaker first began working for the town in 1985. 

"Things have really gotten built out (in Barrington) over the years," he said. 

Mr. Speaker used his own house as an example of how drastically Barrington has changed in the past few decades: "My house was surrounded on three sides by a horse farm. Now, there are houses behind me, houses on the sides."

Mr. Speaker knows that Barrington is an attractive town with a great public school system. He said it is easy to understand why people would want to move here, and why developers would want to build more homes in Barrington. As open space disappears, builders often turn to demolishing older homes and replacing them with new houses. 

Mr. Speaker said the town's zoning laws play an important role in the Barrington's stability and property values.

"People don't realize that when you have strong zoning laws, it helps keep the value of your property," he said.

"People get irritated with zoning sometimes, but it's what makes the town what it is today and has shaped the town over the years. If you don't have the zoning laws to enforce, things can change. It shapes the town over the years, and we've had good people adopt these laws."

What's next?

Mr. Speaker said he does not have any immediate plans for his upcoming retirement. He said he would like to spend more time with his grandchildren.

He added: "I like working with my hands, building things, construction stuff. I do a lot of repairs of different things. I enjoy taking things apart and fixing things. Motors, engines, construction, anything. Wood-working. I can't sit still."

Mr. Speaker said he has enjoyed doing fun projects with his son.

"We enjoy working together, actually. We have worked together. We put an engine in one of his cars," he said. 

Retirement party

Mr. Speaker is currently the longest employed building official in the state. There will be a retirement celebration for Mr. Speaker on Wednesday, May 29, at 6:30 p.m. at Rhode Island Country Club. For more information on the party, call Mary Ann Rosenlof at the town hall at 247-1900 ext. 326.

Building permits cost more

Barrington Building Official Bob Speaker offered his endorsement for the recently-approved fee increase to building permits in town. 

Mr. Speaker said the town has always made an effort to keep building permit fees affordable, but the prices need to be updated, considering the level of services provided. 

For example, the town had a $50 minimum fee for a construction such as a porch addition. 

"But we're doing a plan review, record-keeping, foundation or footing inspection, we'd have a rough planning inspection, he said. "An enclosed addition would have insulation inspection, a wallboard inspection, a final inspection. You're talking five or six (inspections), and sometimes you have to go back. You're getting five or six inspections, plus all the other work, the time driving back and forth, for $50. The town is not making money."

Most of the fee increases are minimal, according to information from the town. For example, the minimum charge for a new addition had been $50, but now is $75; and the refundable fee for pools, renovations and additions that had been $100 is now $200. The demolition fee notice was $50, but is now $100.