UPDATED: Salem District Court Closed Wednesday

An overnight sewerage leak at has closed the building and will result in the rescheduling of all scheduled court business.

District court uniformed staff are posted at the front entrance where a hand lettered sign indicates that all scheduled cases will be heard at a later date. An employee of the district court informed Patch that the entire building smells of sewerage.

Lawyers and clients clustered on the sidewalks around the courthouse after the guards directed them away from the building.

It is unknown how long the  building will remain closed or when court business will resume.

Be sure to check back for more updates on the court's status.

UPDATED at 5:30 p.m. — A spokesman for Addario Plumbing & Heating stated that the problem began with a blockage in a sewerage line on Washington Street.

This blockage caused the drains and some fixtures in the courthouse to overflow.

It is expected the cleanup will be completed in time to allow the court to open for normal business hours tomorrow (99% sure according to Addario Plumbing).

 
Anyone who had a scheduled motor vehicle hearing will be notified of their new hearing date via the U. S. Mail.