NORWICH – Excess foundation water and a crumbling rear support wall encountered during renovations will delay the completion of new office space for the county’s social services department until November.

The $2.3 million overhaul of the century-old jail and sheriff’s office on West Park in the city, begun in February, was to be complete this month.

The project is on budget, however, said City of Norwich Supervisor Linda E. Natoli. The supervisor of city Wards 4, 5 and 6 serves on the Chenango County Buildings and Grounds Committee and is the project’s liaison for the board of supervisors.

Natoli said all but two rear additions – one for an elevator and the other for stairs and a second story walkway adjoining the two buildings – will be finished in October.

The two buildings will provide mostly administrative office space for the Chenango County Department of Social Services. The work included demolishing the jail cells to separate the two structures; replacing the columns, porches and porticos of the former sheriff’s office; a new roof and windows; masonry repairs; and extensive interior renovations that created multiple offices, lobbies, storage rooms and restrooms.

The buildings will accommodate the commissioner’s office, data processing, fraud investigation, legal, accounting, employee training and the divisions Family and Children’s Services, Income Maintenance and Child Support and Coordinated Children’s Services. There is a supervised visitation area complete with a kitchen and computer training space for teaching independent living skills to youths in foster care. A total of 31 employees will move over from the County Office Building across Court Street.