Robinson mulls building options
McDONALD – Packed meetings at the Robinson Township municipal building have been pushing the maximum occupancy of 32 people to its legal breaking point. Meetings where a big crowd is expected are often held at Hickory Public Library because of space concerns.
The further inconvenience of a public works garage at its capacity to shelter municipal equipment and vehicles has the board of supervisors mulling potential expansions and renovations to both buildings.
In the third public workshop on the issue Friday, board Chairman Rodger Kendall laid out three initial considerations blueprinted by the township engineer.
“Our previous manager had plugged in $450,000 in the budget for the potential of a community center (or expanded municipal building),” Kendall said, “but we’re trying to get away from that number … this isn’t Peters Township; we don’t need a crystal palace.”
The third of the three plans was deemed most favorable so far, but at a cost of $780,000, the board has to give feedback to the engineer on how to whittle away at that maxed-out cost.
“This (third plan) is to build a new garage with five bays. At present we’re one bay short to store everything … and then renovate or expand this municipal building and this room and looking to do it all in phases over the next three years,” Kendall said.
The proposed meeting room occupancy would hover closer to 60 and an ideal cost would be closer to $250,000, according to Kendall. One of the proposed ways to save money would be to hire municipal employees to basic construction work in lieu of hiring an outside contractor.
Township solicitor Gretchen Moore advised the board to have a complete plan before taking any action. Township manager Monica Miller said no votes were taken at the special meeting.
“There should be a total vision; a plan to be voted on so if going forward in a phased construction process we don’t get stuck in a situation that we have something half-finished,” Moore said.
The proposal to move forward with a community center could mean costly, unneeded additions.
“There could be grant monies (if we tried for a community center), but that’s a different direction. and it would have to be able to hold 100 people, so the size would be outrageous and we would need additional parking to accommodate and justify it,” Kendall said. “So right now I just what to see where our engineer can get us in terms of numbers.”