Date: Fri 20-Mar-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Town-Hall-South-Rosenthal

Full Text:

Will Office Workers Make A Return Trip To Town Hall South?

BY STEVE BIGHAM

In February of 1997, the employees of Town Hall South packed up their maps and

other land records and moved their offices to Canaan House on the campus of

Fairfield Hills. It now appears possible that they may have embarked on a

round trip.

The constant flooding and general deterioration of Town Hall South had forced

the workers to move to drier land. Generally, employees have found their new

location satisfactory. In less than a year, however, the town's lease with the

state will be up and the employees will be forced to move again.

Where to?

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal has a plan, at least a temporary one.

"One of the things we'd have to consider would be to move everyone back to

Town Hall South once we stop the leaks," he said.

The Public Works Department has alleviated some of the leakage at the Main

Street building with the use of a curtain drain around the outside of the

building. The Board of Selectmen Monday also voted in favor of a $62,000 roof

replacement, using a rubber membrane.

"This is not a permanent fix for the building, but it would stop the leaking,"

the first selectman said.

The police department is still housed at Town Hall South and department

members often joke about the Rube Goldberg-like contraption set up to control

the leaking roof. In one area, plastic tubes have been installed into the

ceiling for drainage. One tube drains into a 55-gallon drum located in a

corner of Owen Carney's office. Capt Carney jokes that the police department

is the only building in town that is catheterized, Mr Rosenthal said.

"Sounds like something out of Green Acres," joked selectman Bill Brimmer.

Of course, the town is currently accepting proposals from firms for a complete

architectural study of the town's municipal space needs.

"They may say demolish Town Hall South," Mr Rosenthal said.