Heavy rainfall and a faulty roof drain over the weekend resulted in significant water damage on the first and second floors of the Chatham municipal civic centre, Municipal officials say.
Carpets, ceiling tiles, computer and office equipment, and furniture on the west side of the building were damaged beyond repair.
Disaster restoration services commenced clean up on Monday and will be on site until these areas are suitable for operation.
With the exception of the customer service, fire services, and building services staff whose work areas were not impacted by the damage, all other staff have been relocated to remote sites, Municipal officials added.
“It’s no secret that the civic centre has been in dire need of repair or replacement for some time,” said Mayor Darrin Canniff, in a media release.
“This is an aging building and this recent event is yet another example of the need to find a long term sustainable solution that benefits both the community and municipal staff,” “In the interim, administration is doing everything they can to get things cleaned up and ensure both the safety of the public and their continued access to our services.”
Due the impact of the damage and because the restoration process is ongoing, residents are encouraged to conduct their business by phone or online to the extent possible, Municipal officials say.
Currently, the Council meeting on Monday, July 10, 2023 is still scheduled to be in-person in council chambers but this too may change in the coming days.
