GLENWOOD | Housing inspections and other Building Department duties came to a halt this week after Village President Jeanne Maggio vetoed plans to make them the responsibility of the Glenwood Fire Department.

In an attempt to remedy the situation, which has been brought to the attention of the National Association of Realtors, the Village Board scheduled a special meeting for 11:30 a.m. today. Without housing inspections, home sales and other business cannot be conducted.

The board will be asked to approve a measure that allows Assistant Village Administrator Bill Bramanti to supervise Building Department operations for at least 30 days, and for existing, salaried village employees to perform inspection duties.

"We might have this resolved by Monday," Bramanti said, adding it was determined in a discussion with Village Attorney John Donahue that it is legal for Bramanti to oversee Building Department duties as long as no additional money is used.

Because Village Board members expect to overturn Maggio's veto at their next regular meeting May 20, Bramanti likely will oversee department duties for less than 30 days, he said.

Board members raised the idea of using home-rule powers to overturn Maggio's veto before the May 20 meeting, but Maggio would have to sign such an ordinance. She has indicated she would refuse to do so, Bramanti said.

Last month, the Village Board approved a plan to transfer the Building Department's duties to the Fire Department in an effort to cut costs -- up to $115,000 by some estimates. Four full-time village firefighters would be certified to perform inspections.

The decision triggered several resignations, including that of Lou Hayes, who was the acting director of the Building Department. One of two part-time building inspectors, Tom Health, also resigned last week.

In his resignation April 25, Hayes said he believed the board is attempting to get rid of people appointed by Maggio. Hayes and Health were Maggio appointees.

The mayor defended her veto, saying village trustees did not allow proper discussion or public input before approving to dissolve the Building Department on April 22. She said she wanted the record to show the veto came in response to what she called a case of village trustees overstepping their bounds.

"They are breaking the government laws, and I am going to be against anything that is an indication that they have no concern for the government laws or for the residents," Maggio said.