FORKS — The state Department of Licensing Office in Forks will reopen at its new location Wednesday after a raw sewage leak prompted the agency to relocate in December.
Since the leak, the West End offices have been closed while the new location was remodeled, said Tony Sermonti, agency spokesman.
The raw sewage overflowed into the state Department of Licensing Office at 41 Bogachiel Way in early December as a result of winter storms.
Although the leak was quickly fixed, the agency took the opportunity to consolidate offices with the state Department of Social and Health Services at 421 Fifth Ave. in Forks.
The office will reopen Wednesday and will be open two days a week — Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but closed for an hour from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Originally, Sermonti thought the agency might close permanently, but once the cost-saving measure was found, it was able to find a way to reopen, he said.
“This was a really positive thing for the state because we were able to locate in that building and share with another state agency,” he said. “Although it took a few months to remodel and make it appropriate for licensing and the technology involved with that, over the long haul it will save money.
“It won’t save tons of money, but we are always looking to save where we can.”
Staffed by agency employees from DOL’s Port Angeles branch, the Forks office averages 246 transactions a month, or about 30 a day, Sermonti said.
In November, the office issued 26 new driver’s licenses and about 50 driver’s license renewals, he said.
The office does not issue vehicle or boat registrations.
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Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
