Local News

Buckhannon Council OKs emergency roof repair to city hall

BUCKHANNON -- Buckhannon City Council has agreed to fund a $10,000 emergency repair to city hall's roof that should have it last another winter.

However, in the next budget council was advised to consider funding to pay for a new roof over the original structure that could cost more than $100,000.

City engineer Jay Hollen told city council during their most recent meeting that the roof above the main part of city hall - the footprint of the former Buckhannon Post Office - is the problem. The roof newer addition to city hall which includes the council chambers is OK.

In particular, the roof above the lobby and awards cases is showing damage.

"There are three major tears there," Hollen said. "The rubber membrane has come off the wall and has come off the roof decking and is sitting at a 30-35 degree angle. It is still intact, but it has come away from the roof and the wall. This is due to the age of it which is probably 30-35 years old."

The worst of the three tears is 15 to 18 inches in length, according to Hollen.

"We felt standing water and there were some bees nests in there and the wood decking was moist," he said.

The roof over the original part of the building was installed in the late 1980s.

"We are looking at a 30-year old roof that had a warranty and a membrane life of 15 to 20 years so we have gotten our time out of it," he said.

Hollen asked a roofing contractor to look at the roof who gave two temporary repair options.

The first option, estimated at $5,000, is to patch in place. A second option, estimated at $10,000, is to cut the rubber membrane to allow it to lay back on the roof and adhere the patch to the roof to form a 90-degree angle and make necessary repairs.

Hollen said it is estimated replacing the roof over the original building would be a $110,000 to $130,000 project and need an asbestos test.

However, roofing contractors have already booked projects this year and it would be difficult to find a company to do a new roof in 2020, according to Hollen.

Hollen and director of public works Jerry Arnold both recommended the $10,000 repair which would buy the City of Buckhannon months to plan for an eventual roof installation. He also said more will be known about the condition of the roof when the temporary repairs are made.

"We do need to make one of the temporary patches as quickly as possible," he said. "Where it is happening is right where the wood deck starts. When they make that cut and roll it back, Jerry and I can get a look at it."

Councilman Jack Reger, who has experience with construction said, "I feel like I have lived this nightmare many years in a row. If we have a heavy snow and we don't patch that, a heavy snow is going to push the roof. That's a disaster."

He also questioned asbestos abatement versus encapsulating the existing roof.

"I have participated in several school remodels and they all have the flat roof," he said. "Instead of having to abate, why not put in the foam slopes? Abatement is going to potentially cost you as much as the roof."

Hollen said that if the asbestos tests come back negative -- a possibility because the roof was most likely installed as asbestos was being phased out in the late 1980s - than the city will not have to worry about abatement.

Director of finance and administration Amberle Jenkins said that she built money for foundation repairs and new doors at city hall in this year's budget that could be used towards the $10,000 temporary repair but said those other repairs need to be made.

"Whatever we do, we are going to have to look at putting some funds back into this building because I have delayed those repairs for about three years now," she said. "I need doors, foundation and now I need a roof."

Councilwoman Mary Albaugh moved to approve the $10,000 repair, seconded by councilman C.J. Rylands.

Mayor Robbie Skinner said council would revisit the city hall repairs in the next budget.

"This building does need to be made a priority," he said. "It is our city's house."