Differences over camp sprinklers discussed

By FRITZ MAYER

BEACH LAKE, PA — Berlin Township officials determined that new bunks being constructed for the Trails End Camp and the Chestnut Lake Camp needed to be equipped with sprinklers. Marc Honigfeld, who with his family owns the two facilities, disagreed and appealed the decision in January.

A judge finally ruled on May 26 in favor of the town.

Even before the ruling, Honigfeld began the process of installing the sprinklers in the new bunks, but there was a small chance that the pump to run the system might not be in place by opening day of Trails End on June 27. Honigfeld went to the Berlin Township meeting on June 17 to ask the supervisors if they could grant him temporary certificates of occupancy for the buildings, but the supervisors were not inclined to do that, and did not believe they had the authority to.

Honigfeld expressed frustration with the process, noting that none of the old bunks would be required to have sprinklers, and the new bunks represented no more a threat to safety than the old ones. Trails End Camp has 35 bunk houses, three of which are new, and Chestnut Lake has 15 bunk houses, eight of which are new.

After a lengthy discussion of the matter, Honigfeld said, “Five other townships representing 25 camps granted variances” regarding the sprinkler systems. “[Building code official] Cathy Hunt and your board chose not to. I don’t know why, but it was your opinion to, we can disagree, we’re fine with that.”

“But now,” he said, “I’m coming to you as a taxpayer, and asking how can you help us, and you’re saying ‘code, code, code, code’ instead of saying ‘let me find a way to help you.’”

Supervisor chair Paul Henry responded, “I don’t know a solution that doesn’t contravene the law or the building code.”

Henry said his response would be the same whether he was asked to help as a supervisor or as a friend. “You’re asking me if I’m willing to ignore a statewide building code, if I’m willing to ignore Cathy’s interpretation of the code, the township’s appeals board interpretation of the code, the county’ judges decision, and two solicitors their opinions. There’s nothing I could do to help you personally because I’m going to say ‘wow, this decision has been made, this decision has been carved in stone.’”

Honigfeld said he was sure the judge who issued the ruling would be amicable to some kind of delay if the town and the camp could work out an agreement. The supervisors indicated they were not prepared to write a letter to the judge regarding the matter.

They were, however, willing to try to expedite an emergency meeting of the building code board of appeals, which had the ability to grant the temporary certificates of occupancy, but there was no guarantee that the board would grant them or that it could be convened before the opening of the camps.

The matter ultimately settled itself.

On June 22, Honigfeld said that the sprinklers would be fully operational before opening day.