Damage from heating system leak closes South Portland City Hall – Press Herald
SOUTH PORTLAND — City Hall will be closed through Tuesday after a leak in the heating system caused major water damage to several offices that may be out of service for more than a month.
City Manager Scott Morelli said the leak occurred after a coil in the system froze sometime over the weekend, when a winter storm brought blizzard conditions and freezing temperatures.
City Hall is expected to reopen on Wednesday with some areas closed to the public after water drenched the entire Human Resources Office and part of the City Clerk’s Office on the first floor; the offices of the finance and information technology directors on the second floor; and several storage and mechanical spaces in the basement.
“It’s possible that when the heating system ran out of water, it called for more water from the building’s domestic water connection, resulting in additional water leakage,” Morelli said in a written statement. “It will likely be a month or more before these offices are able to be used again.”
The leak occurred sometime between Friday evening and Monday morning, when it was discovered by the first municipal workers who arrived at City Hall. It has been contained now and no further damage is expected, Morelli said. The building was never without heat because several offices have individual heat pumps, he said.
Water has damaged ceiling tiles, light fixtures, flooring, computers, monitors, printers, desks, chairs and paper files. Morelli said city employees are attempting to salvage everything possible.
“Lots of files and equipment (have been) damaged,” he said via text Monday morning. “(We) are in clean-up mode.”
No vital records or historical documents appear to have been affected. In the City Clerk’s Office, the information desk and mail distribution area sustained the most damage.
“Thankfully, no records of ours were damaged,” said City Clerk Emily Scully. “The majority of our offices are fine.”
The city has hired a ServPro contractor to remove water and dry out all impacted office spaces, Morelli said. Each space will require varying degrees of repair, as well as new furniture, supplies and equipment.
The cost of the water damage has yet to be tallied, but Morelli said the city’s insurance carrier will cover the losses.
Due to the location of the damage, some municipal employees must be moved before City Hall can reopen Wednesday as planned. City Hall will be sectioned off and visitors will have to use either the front or rear doors to access certain offices.
Use the front door off Cottage Road for the City Clerk’s Office (voter registration, birth/death certificates, etc.), SPC-TV or executive offices. Use the rear door off Ocean Street for the Finance Department (tax payments, vehicle registration, etc.) or business licenses. Call ahead for appointments with Human Resources, 207-767-7682; or Social Services, 207-767-7617.
Persons with disabilities or mobility concerns may use the elevator at the rear entrance to access SPC-TV and the executive offices and go to the Finance Department for assistance with other services.
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