Solution unknown if city hall not salvageable, Niles official says

NILES

The commission that oversees the city’s efforts to get out from under fiscal emergency got a double dose of bad news Wednesday: questions about whether city hall is worth repairing, and the escalating number of water main breaks that may require massive infrastructure spending.

“The situation arose from past maintenance negligence,” said Mayor Thomas Scarnecchia, a fiscal commission member, referring to replacement of the roof and eradication of mold that sickened the mayor and two other city employees.

In 2011, a construction firm called in a report to the city for replacement of the entire roof. Instead, the administration of then-Mayor Ralph Infante opted for patches. A repair estimate is expected by early next month.

“I will not venture a guess whether the building is salvageable or not,” said council President Robert Marino, who also sits on the commission. Marino said he did not know what the city should do if the 89-year-old building cannot be fixed, and called for developing a comprehensive plan.

“I hate to see us manage by emergency,” Marino said.

“Its market value is zero, and infrastructure in that building is highly questionable,” responded John Davis, a commission member. “I’d be very careful with that building.”

Read more about the situation in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.