Council Hears Results of Borough Complex Space Needs Study

A space needs study that was commissioned by Hellertown Borough Council were recently discussed at a council meeting.

Bob Korp, an engineer with Barry Isett and Associates, discussed the results of the study, which analyzed how existing buildings that are part of the Borough Hall complex at Main Street and Easton Road can be reconfigured to create more space for the police and public works departments, as well as borough administrators and staff.

"The shapes are not ideal, but you can make them work," Korp said.

Borough councilman Tom Rieger commented that the study represents the "preliminary steps" needed to formulate a plan to deal with a municipal government space-crunch that has been a problem for years.

"The next step would be to have an architect go through and actually design (a plan)," Korp said.

Councilman Joe Pampanin said he would like to see some cost estimates for various options before commissioning an architect to create a proposal.

For example, he said, he would like an estimate of what it would cost to move the public works department from its present location in a one-story building behind Borough Hall.

Pampanin also noted that "doing nothing is an option."

Rieger said the borough is currently in the midst of dealing with a number of projects involving improvements to parks and bridges, and asked that council consider waiting until the new year to prioritize moving forward with any recommendations from the space needs study.

A motion to table the discussion until the first meeting in January was approved unanimously.

Council vice president John Bate was absent from the meeting.

Photo: Hellertown Borough Hall (file photo)