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New Munson complex takes one step at a time
(by Joseph Koziol Jr. - August 14, 2008)
New Munson complex takes one step at a time
By JOSEPH KOZIOL JR.
Munson Trustees are preparing to pick an architect to assist in planning for a new township complex at the southwest corner of Auburn and Sherman roads.
Trustee Andrew Bushman said they anticipate a discussion in the next month to select one of three architects for beginning the detailed work involved in planning the new complex that is expected to include a new Town Hall.
In April, trustees began a hunt for an architect, Mr. Bushman said. Trustees invited seven architects into the process and have narrowed the field after interviews, he said.
Although an architect may be selected, he said, it does not guarantee the township will follow through in construction of a new facility. "We could stop it at any time," Mr. Bushman said. "Anything we try to do will not be for the office workers or township officials but will be to offer a better service to the community."
Trustees are relying on inheritance taxes for the project, Mr. Bushman said. He said the township has collected approximately $800,000 in inheritance taxes over the last couple years and is considering use of that money for the building project. Any construction would likely be accomplished in phases, he said.
Until now, Mr. Bushman said, the township has provided limited input on what it would like to see for its existing facilities at 12210 Auburn Road and land owned by the township to the immediate south. Most of the preliminary plans drawn up by architects have consisted of concepts that have relied heavy on the architects' vision, rather than specific needs of township officials, he said. He estimated that 85 percent to 90 percent of the plans are the architects' own ideas.
"We've been offering a little bit of guidance, but we're not getting down to specific room sizes," Mr. Bushman said. "We're just feeling out their ideas at this point."
The township owns 17 acres at the site, which includes township offices, maintenance building, ball fields and the Munson Fire Department.
He said plans would include not just construction of a new Town Hall but also a master plan for a township campus on the property.
Trustees had considered expanding the existing building but learned that it's not conducive for expansion. "The existing structure doesn't have the footers needed to build a second story," Mr. Bushman said.
He said he would be comfortable with any architect the township selects. He said all architects interviewed would be qualified.
The need for an expanded or new structure has become evident as space for storage of township records is becoming increasingly scarce, he said.
He said there are often conflicts with other community groups that want to use Town Hall for meetings but cannot because trustees are meeting. Those groups include baseball teams, Boy Scouts and a sewing group, he said. Township Hall is also leased for family events such as bridal showers, reunions and birthday parties, he said.
If township offices vacate their existing facilities for a new building, Mr. Bushman said, it will open the door to additional use by the public.
He said the preliminary plans for the new building could enhance those uses as trustees are looking at a 40-person community room.
Mr. Bushman said much work still needs to be done before trustees move forward with any plans for a new building. He said trustees still have to work out any specific numbers associated with costs, including looking at what it would cost to maintain the old and new buildings. He said some renovations are possible for the existing building to make it more user friendly.
The township's existing offices were built in the late 1970s, Mr. Bushman said. At that time, the township offices were actually a fire station.
At about that time, he said, the township asked voters to provide funding for relocating the existing Town Hall, which was on Mayfield Road (Route 322) next to Fowlers Mill Christian Church. However, he said, voters rejected the funding issue, and the original Town Hall was moved to Century Village in Burton, where it remains on display.
Township officials have been talking for years about the need for a larger space, Mr. Bushman said, and they will move slowly now as they have in the past to ensure any project is done right. "I think we're doing the right thing by doing our homework first," he said.
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