Roy Cain shares his office with a mop, bucket and other custodial supplies.

Cain, the new president of Enterprise Fire Co., and a member of 50 years, shared his cramped space woes with Patch during a recent drill night. But, Cain is not the only member short on space. His fellow members listened to a training session in the fire station’s bay area, amid vehicles and equipment.

The fire department’s cramped quarters have been at issue for at least the last seven years, former president Chris Gowen told Patch previously. Planning was ongoing for five years and for the last two years, the fire department, as well as borough officials, have waited for what was supposed to be a six-month-long expansion project to conclude.

From the looks of it, the nearly $1 million 2-story, roughly 2,500-square-foot addition on the back portion of the firehouse seems to be complete. However, the contractor, Titanium Inc. and the borough have been at odds over payment and completion of various punch list items since last year. The Hatboro Borough Council decided in May 2012 to hold the contractor’s remaining 10 percent until the job was completed to officials’ satisfaction. The contractor, Mark Gill, in turn, has said he will not work until he is paid.

Meanwhile, fire officials must make due with their existing 6,489-square-foot building until the addition of an elevator, flex office space, a multi-purpose room, bunk rooms, shower, laundry and ADA compliant restrooms are finished.

Cain would say only that the matter is in litigation and that he could not comment.

Borough solicitor Christen Pionzio reiterated what she said six months before, that officials are working on punch list and completion items. 

“We are moving,” Pionzio said. “We have a lawyer and they have a lawyer. Hopefully that will resolve as soon as possible so the fire company will have use of their building.”