While the fate of the village hall and U.S. Postal office remains unclear after flood waters last month damaged the building that houses both operations, the Middleville Free Library, which is an addition to the building, will soon reopen its doors.
Engineers this week ruled the section of E.W. Corey Memorial Hall that houses the library is safe for public use, according to Mayor Elizabeth Schrader.
The reopening of the library will be Aug. 31 at 10 a.m., and the community is invited to enjoy refreshments throughout the day.
Patrons will now only be able to enter the library from the Fairfield Street door, as the entrance through the memorial hall remains closed.
The July 31 flood also damaged the building’s septic system, and the library will have to rely on a portable restroom.
Library workers for the past three weeks have been continuing to offer services out of the Newport Free Library, but they feel it was important to bring the services back to a location that is easily accessible for village residents.
With students returning to school and area adults still in need of access to computers to work on job searches and resumes, the news came at the perfect time, too.
On average, seven to 10 local students use library computers each day for school work, according to Sandi Zaffarano, library manager.
“They do a lot of research at the school and then they come here and continue their work,” said Zaffarano. “I’m just looking forward to getting back in and getting everything ready again.”
Staff and volunteers plan to begin returning some of the valuable items, such as computers, local family scrapbooks, that had been moved after the building was closed. Flood waters did not damage anything in the library, but some items had been moved to St. Mary’s Church as a precaution, according to Jane Dieffenbacher, clerk of the library.
With over 10,000 books in the library, Zaffarano believes the situation could have turned out much worse, however.
“I am just glad we didn’t have to move,” she said.
As for the rest of the building...
The foundation of the entire structure is stable, according to Schrader, but engineers still believe the condition of a wall of the post office and village hall is unsafe.
Village officials continue to operate out of the Middleville Fire Station, and mail services for the village remain based out of the Newport Post Office.
Despite attempts to secure trailers to bring postal services back to the village, postal authorities continue to review options to address the situation, according to Schrader.
A decision may involve input from village residents, Schrader said, and anyone that is experiencing difficulties due to the out-of-service postal office can call 1-800-222-1811.
Village officials continue to work with county, state and federal representatives to push for assistance.
The mitigation plan that could secure federal funds is being worked on by county emergency management officials, Schrader said.
In addition to damaging the memorial hall, flood waters from the storm have resulted in the condemning of two village residences and damage to another apartment building.
Recent testing by engineers found that attempts have been made in the past to sure up memorial hall, Schrader said. And a structural engineer on Thursday will review the July 31 flood damage to provide some options on how to repair the wall.
Any decision to repair or relocate will depend on the projected costs and availability of government assistance, she added.
