ADAMS TWP — The Mars School District will spend about $600,000 on a new building to house equipment and vehicles. That decision came after a lengthy discussion.

Superintendent William Pettigrew recommended at the August board meeting that a 12,000-square-foot metal building be erected next to the existing metal building behind the ballfield at the district administration office on Route 228.

The building would include plumbing and heating, but not air conditioning. Pettigrew said the building will be as large as possible without requiring a sprinkler system.

Vehicles and other equipment that now are scattered throughout the district properties would be housed in the building, Pettigrew said, and the district should have a central location where everything would be accessible to workers under one roof.

Pettigrew said he had received correspondence from some board members asking if the building could be smaller to save money.

Pettigrew said the board would be better off canceling the project rather than decreasing the building’s size because an addition would be needed in the next few years.

“If you feel it’s too expensive, don’t do it,” Pettigrew said.

Board member Rita Dorsch asked if the storage space in the basement of the Centennial School could be used, but Pettigrew said he is reluctant to store anything there that emits fumes.

Pettigrew also said a significant number of items stored in two old houses acquired by the district upon buying the Centennial School property must be moved and the houses torn down. That will create more need for storage space, Pettigrew said.

The construction project passed 6-1. Board members Bonnie Weaver and Gordon Marburger did not attend the meeting.

Board member Jane Dunn voted no, saying: “I just don’t feel we need this building at this time.”

Pettigrew said construction, electric, plumbing and site work would be advertised for bid separately.