Franklin Township supervisors faced criticism over plans to convert the former Blue Mountain Candle Co. Inc. building into a police department and administrative office.

At Tuesday’s meeting, resident Paul Hunter called the former candle shop at 570 Interchange Road a “money pit,” warning that “taxes are going to go up.”

“I wouldn’t even spend a dime on that place,” Hunter said.

Board Chairman Nick Storm responded that the property had been appraised at more than $100,000 then they paid for it.

Hunter argued the township should sell the building and instead construct a facility near the former Hobby Shop, where the township had originally planned to build.

“You’re wasting a lot of township money,” Hunter said. “I think you better think about that place before you start even spending money because (eventually) you ain’t going to be here and it’s going to be the next guy’s problem.”

Supervisor Fred Kemmerer Jr. reminded residents that decisions are made by the full board, not one person, though he added the township should have bought the school property when it had the chance.

Resident David Bradley asked how much money the township has in reserve. Supervisors said the building fund contains roughly $1 million to $1.5 million.

“Every year we’re at a deficit,” Kemmerer said. “The last three years we’re at a deficit.”

Hunter also questioned traffic safety along Route 209 near the proposed township complex.

“People are going to get killed there,” he said, adding police could face delays during turnpike incidents because of limited access.

Former supervisor Rod Green said he could not understand why the township continues operating at a deficit.

“I don’t understand why a third party needs to run your budget,” Green said. “How can you be running on a deficit every year? Where’s the money?”

Hunter again urged supervisors to sell the candle shop and build a new facility on township-owned land.

Storm defended the purchase.

“It doesn’t make sense to call it a dump when we bought it cheaper (than it was appraised),” Storm said. “It needs work.”

Hunter suggested constructing a pole building instead, but Kemmerer disagreed.

“Spend $7 million on a building and spend the taxpayers’ money, or be frugal and do things in a manner that we could justify and be able to pay for it without raising taxes,” Kemmerer said.

Bradley asked if the current township building on Fairyland Road would be sold. Storm said it would, although Green argued the land itself remains valuable to the township.

Last month, supervisors approved seeking a $1 million state Local Share Account grant through the Commonwealth Financing Authority for renovations to the building. The township previously received word that a federal grant request had been denied.

Storm said the township cannot make structural changes until the grant process is completed. Resident Jill Renfrew noted there is still no finalized plan for the building.

Storm said Keystone provided a rough cost estimate so the township could apply for funding, while Kemmerer said the building committee will continue exploring options.

The township finalized the purchase of the roughly 9,000-square-foot former candle shop earlier this year for $550,000. Officials have said the goal is to create enough space for police, administration, the zoning hearing board and supervisors.