Date: Fri 30-Jan-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Town-Hall-South-leak

Full Text:

Town Hall South Is Leaking Again

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The woes of Town Hall South continue.

Last year, the leaking and flooding at the Main Street building forced town

employees to evacuate. Now, the Newtown Police Department is also being

affected by the poor condition of the building.

In a letter to First Selectman Herb Rosenthal earlier this month, Police Chief

James Lysaght said a leak in the roof has occurred, causing an "extremely

dangerous condition."

The chief said the leak was first spotted in the police department kitchen in

mid December. Then, on January 9, the building's fire alarm sounded. An

inspection showed that the alarm went off due to a short circuit caused by

water leaking through a ramp on the lower level.

Later that same evening, Mr Lysaght said, the fire alarm sounded again. An

inspection this time revealed that a smoke detector in the same area had also

filled up with water.

According to Sgt Henry Stormer, who also serves as an assistant fire marshal,

there is presently no fire protection in the lower level of Town Hall South.

Mr Rosenthal vowed Monday that he would make sure the leak is plugged, saying

he would request estimates for roof repairs from Public Works Director Fred

Hurley. The first selectman said some type of "membrane" would need to be

placed over the leak. A transfer from one account to another would have to be

made to pay for the project, according to the first selectman.