Municipal Building, Library Roof to Undergo Repairs

Crews will begin work June 1 on the roof replacement and heating and air conditioning system replacement at the Moon Township Public Library, said township manager Jeanne Creese.

Creese said township engineer Malcolm Petroccia was preparing bid specifications for a full-roof replacement of the 1700 Beaver Grade Road building. The township also has hired a consulting firm to put together bid specifications for replacement of the heating and air conditioning system.

Work on the projects is expected to be under way this summer. 

Library staff and patrons have said significant roof leaks in recent months have ruined ceiling tiles, books and computers in the building. The township’s board of supervisors earlier this year approved a full roof and heating and air conditioning replacement at the building, which also houses MCA-TV and the Moon Municipal Authority.

Creese said the heating and air conditioning units are the source of much of the building's leaking. 

“We’ll actually be working on two projects at once,” Creese said. “We’ll have crews fixing the heating and air conditioning as well as repairing the roof. We can’t go on the roof and patch just a spot to fix a leak because of the ductwork. The leaks often migrate along those ducts.”

Creese said the township likely would release bid specification for the project in the next 30 days.

The township received in September 2010 for a full-roof replacement on the building. The lowest bid received was $246,830 from the Eighty Four-based G & W Roofing.

The township is also taking steps to repair the exterior entryway of the at 1000 Beaver Grade Road. The building was first constructed in 1968.

Moon Public Works crews will begin repairing concrete work near the building's front entryway and stairs as well as replace a door and some lighting. The project also includes revamping the building’s handicap entrance to make it more accessible to those in wheelchairs.

Creese said township crews will perform most of the renovations, but the cost of materials may be put out to bid at a later time.

“Right now [the handicap entrance] is not very noticeable to people entering the building," Creese said. “We’ll also be doing some work on the building’s interior hallways.”

Creese said the board of supervisors has directed township staff to prioritize community building projects in need of repair.  

“This particular project [repairs to the municipal building] has been a priority for a while for the township,” Creese said. “It was slated to be done before, but it wasn’t completed.”