Crews work to remove old slate tiles and install a new roof at the Washington County Courthouse this week. Photos by Sally Y. Hart

Work is underway and the Washington County Courthouse will have a new roof before winter. Pa’s Construction of Hiawatha is replacing the slate tile roof with composite Brava roof tiles this week. Sections of the slate tile had been falling off and there were troubles with the roof when it snowed. Chuck Doughty who works on the facility said the project started out as putting snow guards on the roof, to prevent heavy snow sliding off the building. In January, heavy snow fell off the roof and damaged the tin entryway that was on the south side of the building. The new roof will look like slate tiles, but weighs less and comes with a 50-year warranty. The total cost of the project is about $112,000 – including materials and installation.