Berkeley Town Hall Needs A Facelift, Mayor Says

To see how badly roof repairs are needed in Berkeley Town Hall, all you need to do is look at the carpet on the floor and the brown stains in the ceiling in the Township Council meeting room.

Discolored blotches in the carpeting can be seen in nearly every section of the meeting room. The front canopy facade and the rear roof over the meeting room are in a state of ”continuing deterioration” due to the age of the building, which was built in 1978, Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. said.

“The front canopy has deteriorated, although at this point is structurally okay,” the mayor said. ”The meeting roof needs to be replace as it has some severe leaks. Being proactive and having these addressed now will prevent further problems from occurring.”

The problems - especially the front facade - need to be addressed soon, he said.

“It’s not dangerous as of yet, but it needs to be repaired right away,” Amato said at the July 27 Township Council meeting”

The Township Council recently awarded a $218,000 contract to George Kostas Painting and Construction for work to the front entry canopy and the replacement of the rear roof. The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system also needs work, Amato said.

The building on Pinewald-Keswick Road houses all municipal offices and departments, with the except of the police department and municipal court, which are located in a building next to Town Hall.