WEST MILFORD — Getting into the ground floor of the proposed library and taking over the Police Athletic League building would allow the township to move its programs out of the Hillcrest Community Center and its rental lease into newer, more centrally located facilities for basically the same cost, according to a report from interim township Administrator Robert Casey.
But some on the council aren't convinced and want more concrete numbers before deciding. Whether the Library Board will wait, is another issue.
Long time in discussion
This discussion has been going on for about three years, among this council and others before. And while there's been interest on the township’s part, there have also been questions about the need, and now the high-end estimate of $2.25 million expense to build it.
Casey outlined a plan for the council, based on the township going in on the library building.
If the council agrees to building an extra floor in the library, it would provide enough space to accommodate the community groups that currently use Hillcrest. Then, the Community Services and Recreation Department could relocate to the PAL building, just off Cahill Cross Road. The senior citizen functions would take place there, as would the P.R.I.D.E. program and athletic programs. The township already owns the PAL building outright and the organization has hit tough financial times, unable to pay its monthly $6,000 lease.
“From my perspective, given the impending relocation and expansion of the library coupled with the financial issues facing PAL, coupled with existing deficiencies in municipal facilities and potential long term costly upgrades to meet relevant construction and occupancy codes, the time is appropriate to step back and consider the ‘big picture' of where the township is now in terms of facilities and where it may be able to go to improve its overall role in providing community services,” said Casey in his memo to the council.
After the new library is built, the old library will be available to the township for offices. The plan talked about would be to move some offices from the basement of town hall to the old and new library, then use the town hall basement and the old library basement for storage.
Financial considerations
The numbers presented by Casey show a similar cost to the township if they buy in to the new library and move the existing programs and departments from Hillcrest to the PAL building or if they stay in Hillcrest (see box). The big difference, he said, is that they will avoid many costs in the future in an old, outdated building they don't own. Hillcrest is owned by the board of education and leased to the township for $68,000 each year. The township is responsible for utilities and some maintenance costs. The township would own its space in the library after the 15-year bond is paid.
Councilwoman Michele Dale questioned just what the township would be getting for its money. She asked for a cost per square foot.
Mayor Bettina Bieri, who is a member of the Library Board said each floor would be 8,500 square feet, giving the library 17,000 square feet and the township 8,500 square feet. The proposal was to give the township the lower floor which would also contain mechanicals, taking away some square footage.
Bieri told the council a set figure couldn't be determined until they make a decision to go forward. Then the Library Board will go out to bid and get figures. Until then, they are using estimates.
Councilman Lou Signorino wasn't impressed by the estimates.
“If these were the numbers, I would have to say no,” Signorino said. “To me, it sounds astronomical.”
And Dale pointed out there would be overlapping costs while the building was being constructed and the renovations being made to the existing buildings, costing taxpayers more. Casey acknowledged there would be overlap.
Casey estimates the new library would not be complete until sometime in 2017. A move to the PAL building could be done in 2016.
“There is a large expense that’s not factored into your numbers here,” said Dale.
Cost avoidance
Casey pointed out there are costs that will be avoided by making the move to the library and PAL as well, including ADA expenses.
“At some point in time, you are going to have to handle the ADA issues of this building and Hillcrest, and that should be factored in,” said Dale. “The cost avoidance should be factored in. Provide me with the cost avoidance information.”
There is $800,000 available to the council in redevelopment funds that could go toward this project. Former Councilwoman Marilyn Lichtenberg has been wanting that money to be used for this project and brought it up years ago.
Moving forward
Councilwoman CarlLa Horton has been on board from the beginning.
“I’m prepared to do everything to go forward,” said Horton.
Signorino and Dale also expressed their support of a new library. They're just not sure the township should be part of it.
“If this council chooses not to put that third floor on, I think it's a horrible shame for this township and the residents,” said Bieri. “It’s not about the library, and that's what this council continues to misinterpret. The library board will be building two stories with their own funding.”
The council agreed Wednesday night to meet with the Library Board to see if more details could be worked out, including which floor to occupy and how costs would be shared if this were to move forward.