WINDSOR – It’s time to make a change.

The Bertie County Register of Deeds office, located in the Bertie County courthouse, will soon undergo renovations that will close the office for three days.

It was noted in a recent meeting of the Bertie County Commissioners that the vault door leading to the records room is not handicapped accessible.

Original to the courthouse when it was built in 1887, the vault door is currently just short of 33 inches wide – not wide enough for a wheelchair to pass through.

The problem lies in the thickness of the doorframe and the walls.

Since it is 23 inches thick and constructed in vault fashion, Registrar of Deeds Belinda White says it was difficult finding a contractor willing to take on the job.

&uot;Five companies came and did not want to tackle the job… but we finally found A.R. Chesson who said they could do it,&uot; White told the commissioners during the board’s June 2 meeting.

Due to the difficult nature of the task, construction is scheduled to begin June 14 – a Saturday – and last for several days.

The Register of Deeds office will have to be closed from June 16-18 while work is ongoing.

At the June 2 meeting, the commissioners voted to okay the closing of the office for that length of time.

&uot;This is something we have to do; we have to get this work done,&uot; Chairman Norman Cherry stated.

County Manager Zee Lamb added, &uot;I think you (commissioners) should be commended for doing this… it’s not required, but is being done as a public service.&uot;

Cherry noted, &uot;I think we owe it to people to make all public buildings accessible.&uot;

The office is to reopen as normal on Thursday, June 19, complete with the new handicap-accessible doorway.