The Town of Montgomery highway department is looking for a new home after an inspection report by Anderson Design Group found the old and dilapidated highway garage to be in danger of collapse.                                                           

The building is old and deteriorated and poses a serious safety risk to highway workers, the inspection report concluded.                 

“The structural integrity of the building is seriously compromised and poses a life safety hazard,” the report states. “It was observed that the steel building structure has degraded to a point where the structure is likely not able to support itself under the loads it was originally designed for.”                                 

While the exact age of the building is unknown, the report estimates the western addition is between 40 and 50 years old and the east building was constructed many years before that.     

The report documented deterioration of a concrete pier, the foundation, roof purlins, flooring, and general deterioration of the building. The neglect of the building and the lack of rain gutters has also contributed to leaks from outside elements to the interior of the building.                                                                     

The employee area doesn’t meet current standards of commercial construction and applicable building codes.                     

The building also lacks a fire protection/sprinkler system or fire alarm system. The building design contains several combustible materials that are not permitted.                                                                     

The report recommended the entire building be demolished and the building immediately ceased to be occupied because of structural concerns. The report concluded the building has exceeded its useful life after years of neglect.                                           

“It is recommended that the building be demolished due to the extensive deterioration resulting from a lack of preventative and protective maintenance,” the report stated.                                               

Town Supervisor Rodney Winchell said Highway Superintendent Charles Woznick was supposed to move his department immediately when the report was received on March 14.                   

As of March 22, the highway department was still occupying the building. Woznick and Winchell are currently finding alternative locations for the department and are considering moving to other buildings on-site or sharing services with the villages to use their highway garages.

To read the report, click here.