WINDSOR – Two of the major issues with facilities in Bertie County will soon be addressed.

Monday night, the Bertie County Board of Commissioners approved bids to replace the two roofs. The total cost for the project is approximately $30,000.

The first measure the board addressed was the roof at the Bertie County Board of Elections office. The Elections Board moved into the former Department of Social Services annex on the corner of Watson and Belmont streets after their former location on Queen Street was flooded for the second time.

Upon moving into the building, Board of Elections Chairman Michael Freeman said his staff and board were in agreement that the office should stay in that location. The Commissioners agreed.

With the building back in use, however, Bertie County Manager Zee Lamb and Maintenance Director Anthony Rascoe said improvements would have to be made to make it a viable long-term option to house a county department.

The first item to be addressed was the replacement of the roof, which has leaks during any heavy rain. Rascoe looked into a multitude of options before recommending a prefabricated Duro-Last single-ply roofing system.

Monday night, Rascoe recommended awarding the contract for such a roof to B&M Roofing Contractors in Rocky Mount. The total projected cost is $22,229, but Lamb asked the board to approve as much as $23,000.

Commissioners discussed the need for the roof and agreed it should be done quickly. They also asked that a list of any more work needed for the building be brought to them at a later date.

Commissioner Charles Smith made a motion to approve the funds and the contract with Commissioner Rick Harrell offering a second. It passed without objection.

After discussing that roof, the board moved on to the discussion of the flat part of the roof on the Bertie County Courthouse. Several issues have been addressed about the roof leaking.

Rascoe said that currently the roof was leaking badly and needed to be repaired as soon as possible. He recommended the same company to install the same type of roof in that area of the courthouse. The cost is estimated at $8,979. Again, Lamb asked for the board to approve slightly more – in this case $10,000 – to take care of the work.

Commissioner Norman M. Cherry Sr. made the motion to approve that roof with Harrell offering a second. It passed by a unanimous vote.