Hopewell Borough Council’s Building Committee will meet with the state Administrative Office of the Courts Oct. 20 to discuss possible cost reductions for the planned municipal project
By Aleen Crispino, Special Writer
Hopewell Borough Council’s Building Committee will meet with the state Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Oct. 20 to discuss possible reductions in the cost of converting the former Masonic Hall into a new Borough Hall and court facility.
The meeting will be held at the Municipal Building at 4 Columbia Ave. so AOC representatives can look at the present courtroom as well as plans for the new building, said Mayor Paul Anzano at Monday’s Borough Council meeting.
Approximately $1.3 million has been allocated for the project to renovate the former Masonic Hall, a vacant, two-story building at 88 E. Broad St., to make it functional for both borough offices and municipal court and compliant with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), said Borough Administrator/Clerk Michele Hovan in September.
Six bids were submitted for the project in August, and all exceeded the amount set aside for the project, which includes costs of renovation and moving. The lowest bid was $1,654,887. On Sept. 4, council adopted a resolution rejecting the bids.
”What the Building Committee has concluded in the grand scheme of things is that the project was too rich for our budget,” said Mayor Anzano in September. The result is that costs for both municipal functions and court functions will have to be trimmed, he added.
The Building Committee, consisting of Mayor Anzano, Council President David Knights and Councilman David Mackie, is considering a list of eight options for reducing the cost of the project. The mayor charged the Building Committee to look at all options, except spending more money on renovations, doing nothing or selling the building.
Among the possible cost reductions discussed in September are alternatives to the proposed two-story, rear extension, which would house an elevator and staircases, estimated to cost $600,000. Possible options, such as a wheelchair lift or stair glide, would have to provide vertical access within the two-story building for persons with disabilities. Another option on the table is to reduce the number of restrooms from five to two, eliminating two downstairs restrooms as well as a separate bathroom for the municipal court judge. Council estimated the borough would save $13,000 by eliminating a sewer pipe connecting the planned site of the judge’s restroom on the northwest corner of the building to the rest of the plumbing system.
After meeting with AOC, council plans to set a public meeting to get opinions of borough residents before making a final decision and asking architect, Russell DiNardo of HACBM Architects, Engineers and Planners of Lawrence, to redo the project and put it out for a second bid.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, Council adopted an ordinance to raise the affordable housing fees charged to developers of new, non-residential construction from 1 to 2.5 percent to comply with the Statewide Non-residential Fee Act passed July 18, 2008. The ordinance eliminates the 6 percent bonus fee formerly charged to developers receiving certain variances, in conformance with state law.
Council introduced an ordinance recommended by the Planning Board to update land use ordinances regarding major and minor site plans, defining under what circumstances a minor site plan may be submitted. The ordinance specifies application fees for sketch site plans and minor site plans.
Council also has proclaimed a Halloween curfew from 9 p.m.-6 a.m., Oct. 30-Nov. 1, for those under 17 not accompanied by a parent or guardian.