West Deer mulls upgrade, expansion or replacement of municipal building

The West Deer supervisors are studying whether the township’s nearly 70-year-old municipal building needs to be upgraded, expanded or replaced with a new one.

West Deer’s township office complex, built in 1952, is located on East Union Road.

West Deer Supervisor Chairman Arlind Karpuzi wants a study done to determine the cost and layout of each possible option.

The study is expected to cost $15,000.

Karpuzi said that requesting this study doesn’t determine whether the township will build a new municipal building.

“I want to make sure it’s even feasible,” Karpuzi said.

Township Manager Daniel Mator will advertise for outside consultants, such as designers and architectural firms, to do the study and present its findings to the board and public.

The consultant will be asked to determine whether to upgrade and expand the municipal building or build a new one.

“As the township grows, the board has to look at the potential of expanding staffing,” Mator said. “I’m not saying right now, but possibly in the future. So they need to look at that as far as: Does the building fit the needs of the community, itself?”

Karpuzi is set on having all of the available information before even entertaining the thought of building a new municipal building.

“We would never make a decision without having all of the information present,” Karpuzi said.