By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
Despite one dissenting vote, and previously expressed concerns from residents, the Borough Council approved an ordinance Monday to award a contract of $742,269 to Charles Mann General Contractors Inc., of Pittstown, for the building of the new 5,300-square-foot Office of Emergency Management (OEM) building in Lost Valley.
Council President Susan Asher did not attend the meeting.
Councilman Ted Petrock cast the lone vote against spending the money to construct the building in the location once occupied by the recreation center, which was destroyed in a March 2006 fire.
”Yes, we need a building, but I don’t think it should be in Lost Valley,” Mr. Petrock said. “We’ve been told it never floods (at the location of the building). But what if it does?”
A similar opinion has been expressed at past Borough Council meetings by residents who said they feared that the one entrance into Lost Valley, at Huff Avenue, could prevent rescue workers from being able to reach the building in an emergency.
Councilman Kenneth Otrimiski said, however, that workers will be sent to the building in advance if some kind of weather emergency is imminent.
In addition to this, Mr. Petrock said he was concerned about the amount of money being spent on the construction of the building.
”I think the cost is going to be way too high,” he said. “We’re nailing the taxpayers.”
Residents have also questioned the price, asking if a smaller building could be constructed for less money.
Gary Garwacke, borough administrator, has said that the borough has $300,000 from insurance money received after the recreation center’s fire. The remaining costs, he has said, will be funded by bonds.
The new building will house offices for the OEM and Fire Chief Tom Collins, in addition to conference space for the Board of Engineers, and rooms for training and meetings. It will also hold a fitness room for emergency medical personnel with about $1,000 worth of equipment donated by a health club in Hillsborough.
Aside from the meeting space, the building will hold emergency equipment, such as boats and medical supplies, and will house emergency radios to create a centralized location from which to remain in contact with the borough.
