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During the delay of grant awards due to the pandemic, I began to have concerns about the cost of the new Public Works Garage (PWG) on Ridge Street.

Rising costs now apparent in the construction sector, and inflation, are causing pre-pandemic estimates to be wrong. Prices for construction materials are, to put it simply, insane.

I began looking at ways to reduce the cost of the building, and thereby reducing the amount the borough would have to contribute with its own money. It was either that, or likely wait an additional year to apply for more money in the next round of grant awards.

Admittedly, I was for the initial scope of the project, which included items that would have made the building a workshop, as well as a storage facility. At the time, it was hoped our initial grant application for all the money requested would be approved. It wasn’t, and that has resulted in the borough applying for additional grant money in following rounds of grants.

One item on the initial plan for the building was a lavatory. While it would have been a convenience for workers and visitors, it isn’t required, if the building is used strictly for storage of equipment and supplies.

Because of the plumbing involved, the borough would also have to maintain heating in building to prevent pipes from freezing in the winter, creating an additional on-going cost to the borough.

On Monday, I asked Council to eliminate lavatory facilities for the PWG, and in a unanimous vote we agreed it was an unnecessary expense.

A significant cost reduction should be apparent with the change. No ADA requirements, no construction of the room itself inside the building, no insulation needed, no plumbing costs, no need for constant heating, and no sewer connection required. It should also speed up the time of having the PWG ready for use.