Municipal Buildings in Need of Significant Repair

An unusually wet season combined with the heavy rains of Hurricane Irene has resulted in significant water damage to three borough-owned properties, including two fire stations and its borough hall.

At a recent council meeting, Council President Art Murphy informed the council that two stations, Liberty Hose and Independent Company, both of which are owned by Red Bank, are in need of serious roof repairs following a year that included a hurricane and two separate winter storms that dropped an estimated 50 inches of snow on the borough.

“I would request…to have the (Liberty Hose) roof repaired. It is leaking severely,” Murphy told his fellow council members. “If we don’t repair the roof the damage will be significant.”

The estimate to replace the roof is $16,000, he said. The building is also in need of further restoration considering the age of its fixtures and windows, a price estimated, along with the roof repair, at $72,000.

Independent’s roof also needs repairs, Murphy liaison to the borough’s police and fire departments said, though no repair estimate has been ordered yet. Though the buildings don’t appear to be in any immediate danger, Murphy cautioned at waiting too long to fund the repairs as the problem will only get worse.

Councilman Mike DuPont added that borough hall, restored and rededicated in 1997, has a leaking roof which needs repairs as well. DuPont, chairman of the borough’s finance committee, said emergency funds may be available as the roof issues are likely related to Hurricane Irene.

No timetable has been set for repairs or funding requests.