Shed Addition Could House Historic Lower Saucon Township 'Artifacts'

A rented trailer Lower Saucon Township has been using to store large historical "artifacts" collected from throughout the township is no longer meeting its needs, Township Manager Jack Cahalan told Township Council members at their Feb. 2 meeting.

The trailer, which is parked behind the salt shed at the municipal complex, is being used to store items such as building materials salvaged from historic Lower Saucon Township properties.

Since the artifacts require long-term storage, paying monthly rent for a trailer no longer seems practical, Cahalan indicated.

Cahalan suggested the construction of a pole barn-style addition to the salt shed as the solution to the township's storage needs, and estimated the cost of such an addition at $11,200.

"It would serve as a replacement for the trailer," he said. "We'll continue to pay the rent on the trailer for the time being."

Council President Glenn Kern said the "shed seems like a good idea" and Vice President Tom Maxfield agreed.

While some salvaged items were auctioned off at one point, the items currently being stored are not going to be put on the auction block in the future, although some might be re-used if a need is identified, Cahalan said.

For example, he added, a recycled historic barn beam was used in the restoration of the Lutz-Franklin Schoolhouse.

Barn beams kept in storage must be held above the ground and separated from one another for preservation purposes, it was noted.