Date: Fri 12-Mar-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

Town-Hall-South-leaks

Full Text:

Town Hall South Is Leaking Again

BY STEVE BIGHAM

The carpeting inside the lower level of Town Hall South was completely soaked

earlier this week. The leaking inside the building has reared its ugly head

once again.

"We were hoping it wouldn't come back," Public Works Director Fred Hurley said

Tuesday. "We were hoping the sewer hook up might relieve some of the water

pressure outside building."

It didn't happen.

Mr Hurley's department must now go in and patch and water-proof the walls --

something it has already done on a number of occasions. The ground water

moisture appears to be oozing in from the floor now, too. Mr Hurley said the

flooding is occurring now because the ground is defrosting. This causes high

groundwater levels.

Water leakage problems have persisted at the dilapidated building for several

years. Two years ago, the building had deteriorated beyond habitability as

water seeped through mildew-covered walls and onto water-logged carpets. Town

offices were forced to move out of the building for dryer conditions at Canaan

House on the campus of Fairfield Hills.

Much of the water problem is blamed on the fact that the northern end of Town

Hall South is built into a hillside.

Water flowing underground beneath a cut bank on the northern end of the

structure becomes pressurized when it comes in contact with the building's

foundation. The water forces its way into the building through cracks in the

foundation.

Newtown purchased the former farm equipment dealership in 1978. The police

department, located upstairs, also experienced leaks until a new roof was

installed this past spring.

Newtown recently received an extension on its two-year lease with the state

for use of the Canaan House building. However, the Fairfield Hills property is

currently for sale. It will not be available for rent forever. A year ago,

First Selectman Herb Rosenthal said a move back to Town Hall South - at least

temporarily - was not out of the question. In the long term, town officials

are now considering the construction of a massive addition to the rear of

Edmond Town Hall. This would provide added space for those offices currently

at Canaan House.