The St. Joseph School sprinkler discussion was again on the agenda after two previous public discussions resulted in “problematic” misinformation, prompting Father Mike McMahon to attend the board meeting to present the school’s request during Holy Week.
McMahon’s goal was to obtain an amendment to the sprinkler ordinance, allowing the school to proceed with renovations without retrofitting the building to include sprinklers, which Manhattan’s code requires.
The Code of Ordinances, amended in 2008 to be current with life safety standards, added the sprinkler requirement to prevent deadly tragedies from occurring. Village Attorney Jeff Taylor explained, in a previous meeting, that because the Code of Ordinances is codified – meaning it is law – and that the board would be required by law to vote on any proposed amendments or changes to it, no special permits are allowable.
McMahon argued that the current code requirement is burdensome for the school, mainly due to the school’s outdated infrastructure, which could not supply the water pressure required for a sprinkler system, obstacles in accessing the water (including septic, electrical, and a parking lot), and the costs involved with installing a sprinkler system.
He explained that time is of the essence; St. Joseph School, which has 183 students enrolled, already has a waiting list for the 2025-2026 school year, which means they would need to have the building operational by August to accept those students, and time is running out.
An aggrieved McMahon shared the obstacles he said he’s faced since June 2024 trying to obtain an amendment.
“One of the people who was here presenting information on behalf of the village fell asleep,” McMahon said, noting he was seated directly across from the individual. He did not name the sleeper.
McMahon, visibly frustrated, slightly raising his voice and pounding the podium with his finger, also said another individual had displayed a sticker that said, “Sprinklers save your – insert word here.”
He continued, noting he was not given appropriate notice to attend the last meeting, and the notice wasn’t even given to him but instead to the Deacon, who is not overseeing the project.
“I must tell you, it was shameful, and I do not understand what could possibly be going on between the village staff and you, the trustees, and why this information is not accessible,” McMahon chastised village officials.
“Some of these points – they elicit contempt and disrespect for the good people of our parish, who are trying to go about a good mission,” McMahon said.
He said some of the comments were particularly disrespectful, such as, “Typical Catholic Church, not taking care of kids,” with which he vehemently disagreed, angrily telling the YouTube broadcast camera, “I don’t care what you think of me, do not put my parish, my school, staff, my parishioners, do not put them under that cloud of suspicion.”
McMahon’s presentation lasted for 25 minutes, explaining that they explored other options, including constructing a new building, renting modular classrooms, and other fire suppression alternatives. Still, the alternatives proved more expensive than retrofitting the building, even if they added sprinklers.
Chris Lavoie, the contractor/architect/engineer St. Joseph Catholic School hired to plan their outbuilding renovation, followed McMahon and first addressed the board by thanking them. He advised he came with solutions, including three options for text amendments the board could use as a template. He also went over the technical requirements of the project and the pricing they received.
He reviewed the text amendments that could exempt the building from the sprinkler requirements. He suggested the village change the code to exempt buildings built prior to 1980, spaces under 1,500 square feet with smoke detectors and fire alarm systems, or single-story buildings.
Toward the end of Lavoie’s presentation, he went from wanting to work together to nearly threatening the board if they did not offer an amendment.
“If necessary, to get us built, I’ll change those drawings to show it as a sports court,” Lavoie said, pointing to a section that excluded single-level sports areas from the sprinkler requirement. He emphasized this alternative at multiple points during his presentation but said he was trying to work with the village by having them create an exemption.
“The Holy Spirit is here!” Lavoie proclaimed.
“It came down and struck me and said, ‘Hey, I’ve already given you the answer, and the answer’s right in front of us.’ We can move sports stuff over in that garage, and as long as the sports facility, you have to give me a permit. So give me one. I’ll modify the drawings, and I’ll send it in and, then meanwhile, we’re not going to stop there,” Lavoie added, wanting to know when he could obtain the permit.
At one point, the meeting almost went completely off the rails, with audience members speaking out during the question and answer portion of the presentation, followed by suggestions from Trustees Dave Beemsterboer and Tom Doyle, who offered to just vote right then and there, or to have the newly elected trustees, who were present in the audience, come up and sit with the rest of the board to indicate their vote.
The village’s attorney immediately shut the trustees’ ideas down, noting it would violate the Open Meetings Act.
Fire Chief Steve Malone and Batallion Chief Bruce Boyle were both present for the meeting.
Malone briefly commented at the end of the meeting, clarifying that the fire district does not make ordinances; the village is solely responsible. Instead, they act as subject matter experts and advise but, ultimately, it is the village’s choice.
Fire Chief Steve Malone addresses the Manhattan Village Board. Photo by Stephanie Irvine.
“Our concern, obviously, is life safety. With the growth that everyone’s been talking about in this community, it is my opinion the fire district, the village, and all the taxing bodies have to look at preparing for the future. Our concern is that if we make changes from basic occupancy, or for every time someone makes an ask, we’re setting ourselves up for failure,” Malone said.
Though the board room was packed with onlookers, only one resident and St. Joseph’s School Board Member Andrea Baumhardt spoke during public comment regarding the sprinklers and urged the village board to approve the school’s request.
Notably, unsuccessful trustee candidates Tom Biscan and Paula Gibbs, who had taken up advocating for the church at previous meetings while campaigning, were absent.
The village took the presentation into consideration and would include it on the May 6 agenda.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
I was in Florida on vacation having great time during this meeting. I did attempt to change the minds of the Board a couple of months ago to no avail. The people have spoken in the election and now Father has personally seen the intransigence of the Village Board on this costly issue. Too bad and very unfortunate for those wanting to have their children attend St Joseph. Again, there is a double standard where the temporary classrooms in the Manhattan public schools didn’t require sprinklers (the “State” seems to “handle” that aspect). Why didn’t the Village mandate sprinklers for these classrooms with Manhattan children in attendance also?