Municipal building reflects Adams roots
This is one in a series of stories about economic development in Butler County this decade.ADAMS TWP — While the township is growing rapidly in population, township supervisors didn't forget its rural roots when they chose the design for the $2.5 million municipal building three years ago.The three-story red brick building has a barn-style roof with a cupola and a weather vane, which recognizes the farming roots of the fast-growing township."The supervisors wanted to preserve the rural character of the neighborhood. The building is in an undeveloped section of the township, and we wanted to make sure it fit there," said supervisor Herbert Kaufman.The first floor is home to the police department, the second to administrative offices and the third floor has utilities but remains vacant."We wanted them installed so we had room to expand," said Kaufman, who said the board had no plan for the use of the third floor yet.The building is 26,600 square feet. All three floors measure 80 by 100 feet and the parking lot has space for about 65 vehicles.The structure was built into the side of a hill, which makes the police department on the ground floor barely visible from the road. Here there are three garage bays for six police vehicles and three motorcycles.Police Chief Bill Westerman said his new own office is bigger than the entire area the whole department shared in the old municipal building.
He and sergeant have individual offices, which are adjacent to the large space for officer's desks and files.The new floor is about four times bigger, with many first time additions. They include: a detainment cells for two adults and for one juvenile, evidence room, ammunition room conference room and interview room, a booking room and locker rooms for men and women.Additionally, each officer has his or her own desk, which is a big improvement from when everybody used to share a desk, said Westerman.That is important for the township's five full-time and five part-time officers.The main floor houses the township's administrative offices. It also has a large multi-purpose room that is used by the supervisors for their meetings and also for community events. The room can be divided with folding doors and includes a kitchen. It can hold a maximum of 200 people.Kaufman said the new municipal building offers more space for township offices, which also includes a spot for the code enforcement officer and space leased out to the Adams Township water authority.Supervisors saved for years to pay for the new building."The day we opened it, it was paid for," said Kaufman.He also said the project, which was designed by Pittsburgh architect J. Gabriel Kaclik, came in at $500,000 less than the original estimate."We were quite pleased with that," said Kaufman said.The road maintenance department is still at the former municipal building at 170 Hutchman Road. There the department stores salt, gravel and other equipment.
