WINDSOR – The Bertie County Department of Social Services will be closed Thursday and Friday (July 17-18).

The department is closing to move from its current headquarters on Wayland Street to the new facility at 110 Jasper Bazemore Avenue.

“I’m excited because we’re realizing something that has been a goal for 15-plus years,” Department of Social Services Director Morris Rascoe said. “We’ve been trying to get office space that is more conducive to doing business.

“I think the new building looks nice and is something Bertie County citizens can be proud of,” he continued. “I thank the county commissioners whole-heartedly for their vision.”

Members of the DSS staff will be working Thursday, Friday and part of Saturday to move into the new facility. That means no telephone or computer services will be available to them.

Rascoe said emergency situations could be handled, however.

“We will not have a telephone service, but if someone has an emergency such as needing Child Protective Service for an abused child, they can contact the Bertie County Sheriff’s Office at 794- 5330,” Rascoe said. “Also, if there is an emergency, citizens can call the Bertie County Manager’s Office at 794-5300.”

Rascoe also gave his cellular phone number for those who had what he termed “extreme emergencies.” That number is 325-5145.

“We have done our best to make sure that we have taken care of our clients as far as appointments,” he said. “We will handle any life-or-death situations, but otherwise, we will be concentrated on moving so we can open at 8:30 a.m. Monday morning (July 21) in our new facility.”