The low bids for the implementation of steel plates at East Greenville's police station came in significantly higher than initially expected.  Donald E. Reisinger, Inc., a West Chester contractor, presented a price of $125,600 to install the plates on three interior walls at the former Colonial Village Clubhouse. The contractor also presented a price of $129,500 to install the plates on the exterior walls.

            According to Mayor Keith Gerhart, the low prices for both options came in much higher than initially expected.  "The cost was at least double of what we thought it would be," he said after Monday's council meeting. 

            Member Joe Rock, mentioned the bids as part of his comment regarding the property committee during the meeting. Rock mentioned only one bid price and said the issue would be tabled.

"We're going to go over the cost to see how we are going to handle this with the other projects," Rock said.

            After the meeting, Gerhart said they would take a look at the current budget to see how much funds are available. "We'll take it from there," council President Angie Fegely said.

            Gordon H. Baver, Inc., located at 187 West 8th St. in Pennsburg, was the only other company to submit a bid for both projects. For implementation on the interior walls, the company submitted a price of $134,000. It proposed a price of $152,500 to place the plates on the outside walls, according to borough officials.

Last year, borough officials paid a Hereford contractor $159,021 to convert the clubhouse into a police headquarters.  They voted to allow John Membrino to complete the general contracting and mechanical/electrical work, as well as three separate proposed contacting alternatives, which included the installation of a two-way mirror at a cost of $875 and a 3/8-inch thick steel plate along the front of the building for $14,899.

The previous council also voted to borrow $90,000 from the borough's water authority to help fund the work. Former Mayor Ryan Sloyer initially estimated the construction cost of the project at between $50,000 and $75,000.