Ceiling collapses in Paterson City Council meeting room at City Hall

PATERSON — A portion of the ceiling collapsed Monday morning in the City Hall room where the municipal council holds its public meetings, with large chunks of plaster falling onto audience seats in the empty room.

Officials said they were not sure whether the council would hold its regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday night.

Members of the City Council said the collapse stemmed from a leaky air-conditioner pan in the area above one side of the audience seating.

“My main concern is the safety of the people in the building,” City Council President Alex Mendez said when asked about Tuesday’s meeting.

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Officials said one side of the audience seating areas was being designated off-limits to the public until the repairs are completed.

“Rest assured, we will be actively pursuing emergency funding to expedite the necessary repairs and ensure the continued safety and functionality of our facilities,” said Mayor Andre Sayegh’s spokesperson, Dacil Tilos.

Joe Malinconico is editor of Paterson Press. Email: editor@patersonpress.com

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Paterson NJ: Ceiling collapses in city council meeting space