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• November 2007: Township officials unveiled a plan for a $4 million building project to include construction of a 23,027-square-foot public works building with space for township equipment and renovations to the current building, which would include space for a data center, storage and additional office space.



The current township building was built in 1984. An addition was added in 1999.



• December 2007: The 2008 budget included funding for debt service for the building project. The budget allows $260,000 for debt principal and $77,500 in debt interest, should the board borrow for the building projects.



• July 2008: Supervisors gave the go-ahead to begin the bidding process and financing for the construction of a public works building and renovations to the municipal building.



• October 2008: The board accepted a 15-year loan at 3.95 percent interest from Orrstown Bank. Supervisors Tom Faley and Jim Baker voted against assuming the debt.



• August 2009: Construction began on the new public works building.

By Jason Scott, Sentinel Reporter, December 6, 2009

Last updated: Sunday, December 6, 2009 9:58 PM EST

South Middleton Township officials say construction of a 23,027-square-foot public works building is on schedule for a March 2010 completion.

“The roof is on. The building is moving along,” Supervisor Tom Faley said Friday afternoon on a tour of the construction area, located at the back of the municipal complex on Park Drive.

Proposed more than two years ago by township officials, the $2.9 million public works building, which boasts about 13,000 square feet for equipment storage — more than twice the amount of space at the current township building — is part of a $4.2 million project that also includes renovating the main facility.

“It was a need that needed to be satisfied,” said Faley, who along with Supervisor Jim Baker voted against bidding the project last year.

Faley said he wanted to see the expansion work done in phases, rather than all at once. However, he respects the decision that was made and now believes it was in the township’s best interest, given the low interest rate — 3.95 percent — it was able to get on a 15-year loan.

The continued growth in South Middleton Township, with about 110 miles of township roads and a population now hovering around 15,000 people, has also contributed to the need, he said. The township has simply outgrown its current facility.

The additional garage space — expanding from about 6,000 square feet — will give the road department the room it needs for its 15 road crew vehicles, including nine trucks with plows.

Under the current limitations, the eight-man road crew has to hook up the plows before heading out to tend to the winter road conditions, meaning plows are often left to sit out between shifts.

With the new facility, the crew will be able to get out faster because the plows can stay attached, Faley said.

South Middleton also owns a backhoe, road grader and front-end loader that will all be stored in the new building.

The public works building also features repair shop space and locker rooms for the road crew.

Parking lot paving on the eastern end was completed Friday.

With the roof on and concrete floor poured in the garage area, Mark Simpson, construction manager with COR Construction Services, said everything remains on schedule.

Other work

Renovations to the current building, which total $1.3 million, include space for a data center, storage and additional office space.

Residents have cited problems accessing township records at the municipal building because of a lack of space.

“We’re renovating the interior to provide staff more space,” Faley said. “Individual departments will have functionally specific areas.”

Officials have budgeted about $373,000 next year for the building projects.