SCHUYLKILL HAVEN - The North Manheim Township supervisors voted 2-1 Thursday to move ahead with plans for a new municipal building.
Supervisor Wayne Bowen voted "no" because he said the state of the economy makes it a bad time to spend money on a building. Supervisor Chairman Harry L. Eckert and supervisor Gary Brensinger voted in favor of the project. Eckert has previously stated that township operations need more room.
The current office is home to the street department and other township operations. The township does not have a police department.
The township has more than $700,000 in a capital improvement fund for use, township secretary Barbara Miller said. Supervisors have not said how much they are willing to spend on the building.
They awarded contracts to three bidders for the $576,640 project contingent upon the bidders complying with insurance and other requirements.
Balton Construction Inc., Ephrata, was awarded $398,490 for general/mechanical work; Spotts Brothers Inc., Schuylkill Haven, for both HVAC, $38,850 and plumbing work, $31,400; and J.B. Electrical Corp., Minersville, for electrical for $107,900.
A starting date has not been set for construction. The building will stand near the current one at 303 Manheim Road.
Miller said the new building would afford a larger office that serves the township and the North Manheim Township sewer authority. It will have an extra office, a larger meeting room and a small conference room.
The street department will continue to use the current building.
Bids for the building had been received last year but not awarded, Eckert said.
In other news, the owner of the The Buffet House destroyed by fire in November submitted an application for a demolition permit, solicitor Thomas Lisella said. The application came from the construction company that will do the work, although the name was not available Thursday.
Township engineer Mike Pohronezny must review insurance documentation after which he can issue the permit.
State police Fire Marshal Michael Yeity, Reading, confirmed Thursday the fire is still listed as undetermined.
Firefighters from numerous companies in Schuylkill County responded to the fire just after 11 p.m. Nov. 26.
The building at 1476 Route 61 South is on land owned by Seven Hills Hospitality Inc., according to the Pennsylvania Department of State.
Vijsyalakshmi Krishnamurthy is listed as president. He could not be reached for comment Thursday.