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City administration building closed after pipe break; staff relocate services
Summary
A broken pipe caused extensive water intrusion at the City Administration Building (45 West Main) over the weekend. City administration said the building will be closed for about two weeks, staff services have been relocated to City Hall, critical records were saved and the city’s insurance adjuster indicated the damage is covered.
A broken water pipe caused major water intrusion at Westminster’s City Administration Building, 45 West Main, over the weekend, city officials told the Mayor and Common Council on Feb. 24. The building sustained water on multiple floors, including the basement, and will remain closed for what the city administrator estimated may be “the next two weeks.”
City Administrator Ms. Hulse told the council staff mobilized quickly: public-works personnel, IT staff and other employees worked extended hours to shut off water, salvage records and relocate operations. Ms. Hulse said crucial functions, including housing, planning and finance, were moved temporarily to City Hall (the council chamber building) to maintain public services.
IT staff and public works were credited with rapid response. IT Director Rick Moore said his team and partners worked through the weekend to restore critical systems; the police dispatch center had recently undergone renovation and remained functional after the response. Finance Director (Ms.) Rogers said payroll and accounts-payable processes continued without interruption and that staff established alternate phone coverage while building access is limited.
City officials said the insurance adjuster inspected the site and indicated the damage is covered by the city’s policy. Administration added that they would likely call the council if an extraordinary expense authorization is needed during the recovery and repair process.
Council members and department heads praised the staff response and said the city will keep the public informed about recovery progress and any service impacts. No timeline for full reopening was given beyond the preliminary two-week estimate.
