Several residents spoke out Sept. 17 against an early concept plan to build a new public works building on the site of the former Reinhard ES. The school was demolished in 2012, leaving an empty field adjacent to Magnolia Road, Northampton Street and Saucon Street.

The area is a residential neighborhood and the primary concern among neighbors is the building will turn a quiet neighborhood into an area filled with noise and traffic.

Many of the residents called the plan a “truck yard.”

Speaking to council, resident Bill Broun described the atmosphere that he believes will be created as “sounds of beep, beep, beep, and shattering booms of truck beds being filled, the smell of fumes, the heavy, dangerous traffic roaring up and down the street at all hours.”

Another resident, Annemarie Drury, said, “It is the place where I am raising my son. The entire Reinhard field has an identity in our neighborhood. Not only the people who live around it, but people from other parts of town come walking, running, or cycling to it. Programs at the community center use it.”

Several residents called out council members, saying none of them live in the neighborhood and they would have a different opinion if they did.

Council members Kevin Lott and Thomas Rieger took exception to that notion. Both are lifelong residents of the borough and expressed their deep care for the wellbeing of the borough and its residents.

Borough President Thomas Rieger summarized the borough’s dilemma: There has been a space issue with public works that dates back decades, while a bigger problem has been funding. Other than the Reinhard location, the borough has considered other spots, but ruled them out mostly for financial reasons.

The existing public works building was built for horses during the first half of the 1900s. There are half a dozen dump trucks and other equipment stored in the building. During the winter months the trucks have plow attachments that prevent the doors from being closed due to lack of space. The building has no floors other than dirt and there is no heating.

Rieger also explained the Reinhard property was deeded to the borough for $1 by the Saucon Valley School District. The deed’s restriction only allows for the property to be used for police, fire, administration or public works.

Council member Lott added additional perspective by noting the movement of public works will help free up space for expansion of the police department. He said, “Our police force is not up to current regulations and sooner or later the state is going to come in and force us to do these changes; our taxes are going to go through the roof.”

The public works project can’t be completed without the assistance of grants. Council unanimously accepted the concept plan and will move forward with grant applications. Officials stressed there is no guarantee the grants will come through. Council members said they are open to suggestions for alternative locations.