Reynoldsville borough building in need of safety upgrade

REYNOLDSVILLE — The Reynoldsville Borough Council discussed safety and accessibility issues at the borough building on Main Street during their meeting last week.

Board President Bill Cebulski asked if everyone had looked over the engineer’s report regarding the issues found in the building.

Board member Kyle Gordon asked if there was no cost given with the report, and Cebulski confirmed that there wasn’t. He said the council would need to hire a contractor to ascertain the cost of fixing the issues.

Board member Ralph “Tucker” August said the corner would need to be fixed immediately.

Board member Max Smith summarized some of the findings in the engineer’s report, including: defects in the mortar, rusted-off tie behinds, pieces of the stonework on the roof level facade falling off, water infiltration of the brickwork and additional facade defects. He said the engineer identified and blocked off the affected areas.

Council indicated that it had been an ongoing problem. August said that it had rotted over the years.

Gordon said there were several other buildings downtown the engineer’s report had concerns over as

well. Cebulski said one of the big concerns centered around an I-beam from the two pillars that is sagging, creating a gap where the I-beam is holding everything together.

August asked if the front windows by the library should be boarded up with plywood, in order to avoid injuries occurring from debris falling off the facade, breaking and going through the windows. Cebulski and Smith both said that it was a good idea.

Cebulkski said they would begin calling masonry contractors to see about prices.