WPCNR CITY HALL CIRCUIT. By John F. Bailey. December 4, 2007: City Department of Public Works employees worked around the clock into the wee hours of this morning to bring City Hall back on line after a leak in the City Hall hot water line flooded the building's sub basement, according to Melissa Lopez, City Hall spokesperson this morning.

City Hall yesterday was closed due to a hot water line break in its basement. City workers cobbling together parts and equipment from various sources replaced parts of the heating system, and all electrical panels to bring the Grand Old Dame on 255 Main Street back into action today in 24 hours.

Ms. Lopez reported that as of  9 this morning City Hall had heat and electricity and telephone service, but that internet and e-mail was still not working. All departments were back in operation. Lopez said that Deputy Commissioner of Public Works, Rick Hope said that as of 11 A.M. yesterday morning that if you had told him they would have city hall operational by this morning, he would not have thought it possible. Hope said that he was so impressed by the way all city personnel worked together around the clock to bring City Hall back on line, restoring heat and power within 24 hours after the flooding was discovered at 8 AM yesterday.

As of 11 A.M., Ms. Lopez said City Hall was operating on one boiler which Hope said was sufficient to heat the building.

Lopez said Commissioner of Public Works Joseph Nicoletti had isolated the pipe which failed, tracing it to the hot water line within city hall  under the first floor, which filled the sub-basement containing the city's boilers and electrical vault. The malfunctioning pipe was not the fire hydrant "spur" it appeared to be at first inspections yesterday. Lopez said the hot water line would be replaced Saturday, and a cost could not be put on the costs to do so. Lopez also reported the Commissioner of Public Works would be making a complete survey of the city hall piping infrastructure after the hot water line is replaced.