Discussion of the proposed centrally-located public safety complex has been put on hold, signaling apprehension on the part of some board members to proceed with the project.
An item relating to survey work for the land on Joslyn Road, where the complex is slated to be built, was postponed during last week’s regular board meeting after lengthy discussion on the direction of the project.
Trustee Matt Gibb questioned when the decision was made to ‘go ahead? with the facility.
‘I thought you agreed to go forward with the facility when you hired an architect,? Buildings & Grounds Director Reenae Tulip replied.
Tulip was presenting an proposal by Nowak & Fraus to complete the survey work for just over $14,000. The board has already hired French Associates as an architect and Plante & Moran’s CRESA group to serve as project manager. CRESA is making a monthly fee of up to $7,500.
Gibb and Treasurer Alice Young both voted against hiring CRESA back in October, saying the project wasn’t yet to the point where it needed a management firm’s oversight.
Township Supervisor Jerry Dywasuk said the complex, which would be funded without asking the voters for additional money, is needed because of the constraints the existing township building faces.
‘I’m out of space at my house, too,? Gibb said. ‘That doesn’t mean that I’m going to borrow money that I’m not sure is going to be there in a year to solve that particular issue.?
‘Are we putting the cart before the horse here by extending non-budgeted dollars??
Gibb sited a poor economy and police and fire millages set to be voted on in 2008 as reasons to tread cautiously.
‘I’m beginning to question, like Ms. Tulip, what has happened since this summer,? Clerk Jill Bastian said, noting that the board has already agreed to go forward with phase I of their facilities master plan.
‘Somewhere along the line, something is not working right,? she said of the process and efforts that have been spent on the project.
Bastian said the board needed to work out their differences before proceeding, which is ultimately what they decided to do by unanimously postponing the survey work item. They gave themselves 30 days to act on the item.
‘I’d like to see some sort of schedule,? Trustee John Garlicki said. ‘Until you demonstrate how to pay for it, it’s going to be one big stumbling block.?
Dywasuk said it wouldn’t be difficult to get something on paper explaining the project’s funding structure.
‘I think conceptually this might be something the township could use in the future,? Gibb said. ‘The idea of going forth so that people can have larger offices and more space is a disservice to this community.?
He and Young both wondered why the idea to go out for bid on the survey work never came before the board.
‘I’m more convinced than ever that we didn’t need (CRESA), because I am very disappointed in this proposal,? Young said.