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Focus is on space for Town Hall plans
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - February 01, 2012)
Focus is on space for Town Hall plans
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Munson Township Trustees got a little clearer picture last week of a wish list for renovating township offices, although officials emphasized that the plans remain just that -- a wish list.
Architect Henry A. Penttila presented a program of spaces, providing dimensions for possible rooms to be considered in the renovations planned for this spring and summer.
Mr. Penttila previously cited goals for the building that were stated in a 2008 memo: "Any improvement project should address multiple aspects of the township operation, including storage of township records, the office and work space of the fiscal officer, the public's open access to the day-to-day operations of government and to office staff, nuisance issues related to the meeting rooms, the lack of a caucus room for executive session by the trustees and ZBA (zoning board of appeals), the energy use of the building and the parking and traffic flow." He said last month those goals had not changed.
The most recent proposals are based on interviews conducted with township employees and officials. Mr. Penttila also has invited the public to comment.
Last week, he cautioned that his proposed spaces remain only suggestions, not definite changes being planned for the building.
"The program of spaces is an estimate of areas needed for specified activities," Mr. Penttila said. "As an estimate of needs, the program of spaces will be used as a basis to plan the most efficient use of existing building spaces and the integration of new spaces. the gross floor area of the final approved plan may vary."
The estimates show an expansion of the building from its existing 3,763 square feet to 8,007 square feet.
"It is assumed that the present spaces used by Munson Township in the existing building will be reconfigured for use in realizing the program of spaces," Mr. Penttila said. "It does not include spaces needed, added to or used by the Munson Fire Department."
The township shares its offices with the fire department in a single building.
Some of the proposed changes include a new public meeting room with seating for 30 people, an upgraded kitchen, additional storage and work stations for trustees.
Trustee Todd Ray said some of the proposed dimensions for various rooms were guided by architectural practices, which determine needed sizes by how many people might use a room and what furnishings are needed, such as a display table for plans for the zoning inspector.
Trustee Irene McMullen said trustees have eliminated one space that was proposed. A 252-square-foot caucus room will not be needed, she said, because trustees and the zoning board can use trustees' work areas to convene into executive session.
Trustees had sought a separate room in order to allow an audience to remain in the public meeting area while they adjourn into private meetings.
Mr. Penttila also proposed that the main entrance be shifted from the west side to the south side, facing Sherman Road.
"This places the fire department to the rear of the building," he said. "Munson Township Hall would no longer be in competition, or confused, with the fire department for visibility on Auburn Road."
The proposed shift includes relocating the main entrance to Township Hall on Sherman Road and reconfiguring the entrance on Auburn Road to restrict it to fire department business, he said.
Mr. Penttila said the plan is to make the building more energy efficient as well. "The expansion will utilize the existing building and upgrade the building with energy-saving features by insulating walls, floors and ceilings," he said. "It will incorporate energy-saving mechanical equipment, water-conserving plumbing fixtures and high-efficiency lighting."
Trustees were to meet in a special work session this week to narrow the focus and approve the proposed spaces.
Mr. Penttila said, once the program of spaces is approved by trustees, he can begin developing a floor plan to reconfigure existing spaces and incorporate the new ones.
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