Commissioners Table Design Plans for Emergency Services Facilities

BROOMALL–Even though the tone of the July 11 meeting indicated otherwise, careful consideration was the name of the game. The light-hearted atmosphere probably had something to do with Wawa coffee. 

Prior to decisions and indecisions, the Board of Commissioners began the meeting recognizing the Wawa Broomall branch's 45th anniversary, which included a short proclamation and free coffee for those in attendance.

After the light-hearted festivities ended, however, the board tackled a lengthy agenda, spending a majority of their time on an update for reimbursement for the proposed .

Adam Matlawski, the township solicitor, explained that during the planning stages for the proposed emergency services building, which includes fire, police, ambulance and the district court, the project may "incur some fees." 

"The project is a ways off before financing. However, it may not be a ways off before you start to incur fees under the internal revenue code," Matlawski said. "If you want to include those costs in borrowing, you have to adopt a reimbursement resolution. It sucks back in any costs you may have incurred up to 60 days prior."

While the board attempted to fine-tune the financial aspect of the project, members reiterated that the proposal was not "shovel ready," meaning that the actual ground-breaking would not be for some time, with one commissioner estimating one or two years. 

The following resolution, however, addressed the planning stages of the project by appropriating $50,000 to Casaccio Architects and Mac Combie Engineers for "preliminary conceptual design" for the Emergency Services Building. 

The board was ultimately split on what action to take, though a decision passed 6-1 in favor of postponing action for 30 days. During the next month, the board will discuss the firms slated to do the planning and what is required for the entire facility. 

Other items on the board's agenda included the adoption of an amendment to the , which states that the county will pay the $125 stipend on top of the usual $116 for animal control. 

While several items on the agenda were passed with relative ease, the August Board of Commissioner's meeting promises to reveal more information on what to expect with the joint Emergency Services Facilities.