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Narberth council approves secure office vestibule design to restrict public access to staff desks
Summary
Council approved a roughly $6,700 design to construct an enclosed vestibule at the borough office with teller-style windows and key-fob access. Staff said the change increases employee safety without creating a fortress-like design; installation is planned over a weekend to limit disruption.
Council approved construction of a secure office vestibule at the borough offices to reduce unimpeded public access to staff desks. The approved design is an enclosure with two teller-style windows (88-inch heights), key-fob access and an eight-foot partition that preserves sightlines and the office—nvironment. The cost estimate cited in the packet was about $6,700.
Manager Jeff and staff said previous design options included firearm-resistant panels but were visually and functionally inappropriate for a municipal office; the approved design is intended to be welcoming while offering better security. Council discussed logistics including wheelchair-accessible door widths, a small buzzer/bell, and how key-fob permissions at the vestibule will be coordinated for council members and other authorized users. Staff said installation work would be scheduled on weekend days to avoid disrupting weekday office operations and that the borough would seek a small insurance-provider grant toward the expense.
Why this matters: Staff told council that insurance-site reviews have repeatedly recommended a more secure entry; the modest enclosure aims to address workplace safety while maintaining public access.
What happens next: Staff will schedule installation (weekend work), finalize dimensions with code enforcement and seek partial funding from an insurance provider. The council approved the design and installation plan at the meeting.
