More Tests Needed to Assess 'Soundness' of Fire Addition

After spending more than $20,000 on invasive testing and soil samples under the $1 million Enterprise Fire Co. addition, an official told Patch that more testing is needed.

Since the two-story, 2,500-square-foot expansion got underway in March 2011, it has been plagued by delays, claims of "poor workmanship," been considered the cause of potential litigation and, more recently concerns that it may be structurally deficient. 

Work ceased on the project sometime around August 2012 when borough officials began reviewing a two-page punch list, or list of construction items in need of resolution. Contractor Mark Gill of Titanium Inc., told Patch previously that he would not finish the work until he was paid the remaining 10 percent owed, roughly $100,000. The borough council has said it would not pay the balance until the addition was satisfactorily completed. 
 
Now, more than two years after the project's original completion date of August 2011, the new portion of the building remains vacant and unused. 

Borough attorney Christen Pionzio said it will remain that way indefinitely as the round of testing that the borough council authorized in June determined that, "we need more testing." 

"The borough is still undergoing the testing necessary to get the complete picture relative to the building addition’s compliance or lack thereof with the required building codes," Pionzio wrote in an email to Patch. "The safety of the firemen and rescue workers who will occupy and sleep in that building is our number one goal."

Additional testing has not been discussed or authorized publicly. Pionzio said Borough Manager Fred Zollers could "poll the board" on the two-part test, which Pionzio said would cost $4,360 and $3,420, respectively.

"It is further testing regarding the soundness of the addition," Pionzio said. "To say more may jeopardize the borough."