NORWOOD, N.J.—If all needed physical repairs to Norwood Public Library—which suffered a flood in late July—can be completed without any further delays, the mayor said he hopes the library can reopen by early 2020.
“We estimate handing a completely finished library back to the library board in late 2019 and hope that the library is open by early 2020,” Mayor James Barsa told Northern Valley Press after a Facebook post in late August.
“Water created some very bad damage,” said Barsa, describing the July 20 flood, which occurred after a pipe burst in a second-floor bathroom.
Barsa said the repairs to downstairs floors and walls were being handled as “an emergency situation,” enabling the borough to secure bids and get needed construction work completed as soon as possible.
“As long as the costs line up with the insurance dollars available, [the contract] can be awarded for the repairs,” Barsa said.
He said construction official Gino Tessaro was responsible for getting bids for the needed repair work and overseeing construction contractors.
“There was extensive damage to both the lower level of the library as well as the main floor. As of now, the cleanup is complete, all damaged items have been removed, and all steps have been taken to ensure no mold will grow,” said the mayor.
Barsa said water spilling from the burst pipe in an upstairs bathroom set off a fire alarm, and municipal employees from public works and construction, plus the public works council liaison responded to the scene.
“As many of you know, working with an insurance company on a claim is a time consuming and involved process. We are moving as quickly as possible to get the library not only back to what it was, but better,” said Barsa.
He said roof repairs approved by the council August 21 will occur concurrently with repairs inside the library to minimize the library closure.
Barsa said during the closure, he has requested that the borough architect prepare plans to make the library bathroom compliant with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
In addition, extra outlets will be installed for visitors to charge mobile and electronic devices.
“It is my hope that we can turn this unfortunate incident at the library into one that benefits the residents of Norwood,” said Barsa.
He said the library parking lot will remain open during all repairs, and though a garbage bin needs to be on site, it will not interfere with parking.
He urged residents with library cards to visit any of 77 libraries in Bergen County Cooperative Library System, (BCCLS, also called “Buckles”), including 62 libraries in Bergen.
Barsa said library staff are using his mayor’s office as a temporary office until repairs are complete.
“I know many children congregate at the library after school. Norwood Public School offers a before and aftercare program; those interested should contact the school for more information,” the mayor noted.
