Date: Fri 28-May-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

highway-dept-roof-Hurley

Full Text:

Highway Dept. Says It Needs A New Roof

BY STEVE BIGHAM

Monday afternoon's downpour had members of the highway department running for

cover as water leaked through the building's roof.

"When we do get heavy rain, we have to stop all welding. Someone could get

electrocuted," noted Public Works Director Fred Hurley.

It has been the same old story down at the garage for more than a year now as

the 23-year-old roof has failed to keep the elements out. The Public Works

Department is now seeking about $150,000 to have it replaced.

"That is the original roof from 1977. Up until now it has held up well. That

roof doesn't owe the town any money," Mr Hurley said.

The Legislative Council is expected to add the proposed roof project to its

capital improvement plan in the hopes that it will be paid for through Local

Capital Improvement Plan (LOCIP) funding -- grant money from the state,

usually made up of sales taxes.

Mr Hurley said his department will seek bids from roofers over the next two or

three weeks, roof construction to take place this summer. The old roof would

be replaced with a single membrane roof, similar to the new roof at Town Hall

South.

The highway department has done some patching of its roof in recent years.