Rehoboth taps new building inspector

Damalier Molina has been selected to replace Terri Sullivan as Rehoboth Beach's top building official.

Molina has been with the city's building and licensing department for the last two months on a part-time basis as a code enforcement officer. He previously served eight years as the top building official in Coatesville, Pa.

He said he ended up in Rehoboth by chance: his job in Coatesville was the victim of budget cuts and in his search for a new job, he came across an ad to work in Rehoboth. After interviewing with Sullivan and City Manager Sharon Lynn, Molina was brought on board. When Sullivan announced she was leaving, Molina was offered the full-time job as head building inspector.

“I was more stunned with Terri’s resignation. And I was surprised that I would be considered. I’m happy for the new challenge. I always like a new challenge,” he said.

Molina said he has been living out of a suitcase the last two months, commuting between his two homes in Wilmington and Milton. He said his wife, a nurse practitioner, is looking forward to moving downstate on a full-time basis.

Originally from Philadelphia, Molina attended Temple University and completed graduate work at Cornell University. Molina’s background is in regional planning and code enforcement with certifications from the International Code Council.

“Code enforcement is a component of government that has, in my opinion, never been on par with police and the fire department. We deal with safety, with protection of the public and promoting public health,” he said.

One change Molina said he was hoping to make was to speed up the process for getting a building permit by clarifying sections of the building code that are too complicated.

Molina said he would like to see the permitting process become more efficient. He said one way the department can help with that is by educating contractors in what is allowed under the city building code and possibly developing a building template for contractors that will help streamline the process. Molina said what he would like to see is plans come in and out within 30 days.

“Terri was heading in that direction,” Molina said.

He said he also wants to make an internal assessment of the department to determine what is there and what the department’s needs would be going forward.

Molina had kind words for his predecessor, who wrapped her final day at the department Aug. 12 before moving to Florida.

“I’ll miss her,” he said.