Former Santander bank in Orwigsburg to be renovated for borough offices
Sep. 18—ORWIGSBURG — The borough council gave the go-ahead Wednesday for renovations of the former Santander Bank building, which the borough bought in August.
The plan is to relocate the borough's offices to the renovated former bank building by year's end, Borough Manager Randall P. Miller said.
The council awarded contracts totaling $50,706 for upgrades to the building's electrical system, heating and air conditioning systems and floors.
The borough is still seeking bids for painting the building's interior, which is estimated to cost $5,000.
In a separate move, the borough purchased an exterior sign from Bartush Signs of Orwigsburg for $13,578. It depicts the borough's seal: a photo of borough hall surrounded by "Borough of Orwigsburg, Incorporated 1813."
Council members rejected the purchase of a digital sign, which would have cost between $30,000 and $40,000, depending on size and the intensity of the graphics.
The borough borrowed $425,000 for the purchase of the 3,000-square-foot building at 333 S. Liberty St. from Santander Bank, which cost $275,000.
The remaining $150,000 is to pay for renovations. Of that, $85,716 remains after deducting contracts awarded at Wednesday's meeting.
Initially, the plan was to relocate the borough police department to the former bank building, which is near Boyer's Market.
But an analysis showed that it would be less expensive to relocate the borough's offices than the police department.
The department will remain in borough hall, a former school at 209 N. Warren St., and expand into the space vacated by the borough offices.
In other business, the borough received $90,000 for harvesting trees in the borough's watershed.
Ritchie Logging & Sawmill Inc., of Bethel, Berks County, is conducting the harvesting on 700 acres near the Schuylkill Haven reservoirs at Tumbling Run.
Responding to a request from Bill Knecht, a borough resident, the council reaffirmed its policy of prohibiting signs — political or otherwise — on borough property.
A posting of political signs on Centre Square recently during Heritage Day, though it was only for several hours, prompted Knecht to request the borough to establish a "no sign" zone on borough property.
Paul J. Datte, solicitor, indicated the borough already had an ordinance banning signs on borough property.
Also at the meeting, Madeline Bartush announced her intention to resign from council, effective Oct. 12. The borough has 30 days from the date it accepts the resignation to appoint a new council member.
Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007
