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The memorializing resolution was discussed for more than 70 minutes during a Town Board meeting where officials said the proposal would be detrimental to general contractors who currently are allowed to install electrical wiring.
Opposition to the proposed law came from several contractors who said it will require seven years of apprenticeship under a master electrician before they could resume accepting jobs involving electrical hookups.
"As it is now, a general contractor who does his own electrical work deals directly with the inspector and if there's a problem sooner or later the inspector won't inspect his work anymore," said contractor Richard Morse.
Opponents are also concerned the county will create a backlog of inspections that will lead to substandard work.
"Clearly, when you take away so many people that are doing competent work now there is going to be a safety issue," Morse said.
Support for the county law came from town Planning Board member John Uarricchio, who said Town Board members did not have the expertise to determine if licensing is needed.
"Right now the contractor can send anybody out to do work in your house (including) a chimpanzee," he said.
In the resolution, the Town Board wrote that the proposed county law is not supported by evidence that only master electricians can provide competent and safe services.
"The proposed local law ... imposes unreasonable and overly burdensome educational, apprenticeship and financial requirements on individuals seeking a master electrician's license," they wrote.
"Those electrical contractors who do not qualify for a license under the proposed local law may have to look for work outside of Dutchess County or risk losing the ability to continue to earn their livelihood," officials wrote. "The proposed local law will cause a decrease in competition among electrical contractors in Dutchess County and as a result, cause the cost of electrical work ... to rise."
