REEDSVILLE — Reedsville Council is considering a new town hall.
Council members also discussed the property next to the current town hall as possible parking space. At Monday’s meeting, Recorder Sandy Kisner said council should consider a larger town hall.
“When someone comes to discuss a problem there is no privacy,” she said. “We need maybe four offices.”
Mayor Jason Titus agreed. He said municipal court is being held during the evening due to the lack of privacy. The current town hall has space for only three desks and a council table. When a public meeting is held it is usually held at the fire hall.
Titus said the town can’t take out a real estate loan, but, “Clear Mountain Bank said council members could sign a resolution. The town and not council would be responsible for the debt. It would be a 5 percent rate for 15 years.”
Kisner suggested the possibility of buying a modular home. “It would have a kitchen and four rooms for offices. We could use part of it for council meetings,” she said.
Titus said the town owns some property near Superior Fibers.
Councilwoman Renee Stone said she didn’t believe that would be a good site. “The biggest problem is it’s an industrial area. It doesn’t feel like part of Reedsville,” she said. “This effects the community. I think we should have a meeting and get town input.”
Council also discussed possible future uses for the current town hall. One suggestion was to use it as a police office. Another idea was removing the desks, putting in a long table and using it for council meetings.
“It needs to be completely rewired,” Titus said. “That will cost a minimum of $10,000. If we come through the floor it could be cheaper.”
Councilman Scott Williams said he believes buying the property next to town hall is impractical “It’s not worth $50,000,” he said. “I can’t see it.”
Titus agreed. “It’s a sloping property. We would have to have a retainer wall so no one falls over it,” he said.
Discussion was tabled until council can gather more information.
In other business council voted to adopt the state ATV law in its entirety. Titus said by doing this all citations written by the town officer will stay in municipal court. Council also passed the Fair Housing Resolution and Plan, something that must be done annually.
Council voted to move the employee health plan to Charter Benefit Plan. Instead of a $200 deductible employees will have a $1,000 deductible. Kisner said all employees except one were in favor of the change.
