Windy Forecast Closes EG Library Again Over Belfry Collapse Concerns

Windy weather expected through Columbus Day weekend has forced the East Greenwich free library to close yet again over fears that the next-door church’s stone bell tower might collapse.

The library will be closed through the weekend along with the sidewalk and street. It reopened on Wednesday after being closed for several days for the same concerns.

Town Manager Thomas E. Coyle III first decided to close the library and block portions of Peirce and Church Streets last week when weather forecast models hadn’t yet concluded Hurricane Joaquin was headed sharply east. But Rhode Island still had particularly windy weather over the weekend along with periods of heavy rain and the town is taking no chances when it comes to public safety.

“There were a few gusts over the weekend that would have had me worried,” Coyle said Monday.

On Friday morning, all Rhode Island Emergency Management Directors got notice from the weather service that there is a potential for wind gusts in the afternoon and evening in excess of 40 mph. The tower is at risk of collapsing when winds reach 30 mph.

The decision to close the library came after the town spoke with the church’s structural engineer, Douglas Hancher, who confirmed that the adjacent streets should be closed down.

The belfry at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has been in danger of collapse ever since it was struck by lightning during a powerful storm that caused damage across the state in July, town officials said.

The town has been working with the church’s structural engineer and a long-term repair plan is in the works. In the short term, at the suggestion of the town, St. Luke’s will be installing temporary shoring to reinforce the belfry.

National Grid has also been staying abreast of the situation because three transformers are located right outside the church.

For now, the library director and some of her staff will be working out of a second-floor conference room at Town Hall.

The church has been notified that they should not occupy the building until the engineer gives them the OK. Gas service to the church has been shut off.

Peirce Street and Church Street will remain closed indefinitely until the temporary shoring of the belfry is installed, after which the wind events will no longer be a factor in re-opening the streets.

For now, residents are being asked to remain patient during closures and until the shoring can be installed.

Until then, the library’s fate is dependent on the weather. Some might say it’s in God’s hands.