Paterson City Hall Delays Council Meetings Due to Asbestos Discovery
PATERSON — Municipal council meetings at Paterson City Hall will be postponed for at least three more months following the discovery of asbestos in a collapsed ceiling from March.
City officials have not provided a specific timeline for the repairs, but Paterson has allocated $2 million for the project. Mayor Andre Sayegh’s chief of staff, Habib Kader, announced that all council meetings through the end of August will be held at the city-owned broadcast studio located at 77 Ellison Street, approximately three blocks from City Hall.
The ceiling collapse was caused by a leaky air conditioning unit on the roof, rather than a roof leak, Kader explained. The city plans to replace the air conditioner as part of an upcoming energy savings improvement program.
“We had the Health Division test the ceiling plaster for asbestos, and the results were positive, necessitating specialized removal,” Kader said. “Vendors experienced in asbestos removal have indicated they need to disassemble the rooftop unit to fully assess the damage.”
Kader added that the city is currently disassembling the rooftop unit, conducting air quality tests, and obtaining final estimates for the interior work. More details on costs and timelines will be shared as they become available.
City Council President Alex Mendez was unavailable for comment. However, Council Vice President Luis Velez suggested that the city consider holding council meetings at alternative venues that would benefit the community.
The broadcast studio on Ellison Street has a smaller capacity compared to the council chambers. Despite this, Paterson activist Corey Teague, who frequently attends council meetings, expressed no concerns about using the studio until repairs are completed.
“To me, it’s fine,” Teague said.