The Manchester Enterprise
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Board plans town hall renovations
Discussions include office expansions, new document archive area
By Ed Patino, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 27, 2008
Though still under discussion, the Manchester Township Hall could receive a much needed facelift in the near future.
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The renovations, according to Manchester Township Supervisor Ron Mann, would be part of an improvement plan that all Michigan townships will eventually face.
"We've just been talking about what might need to be done," Mann said. "All townships are required to make upgrades under the capital improvement plan, so this could be one little step toward what we'll have to do."
Office space and storage are the two biggest issues facing the township hall, which is located along with the Manchester Township Fire Department on Macomb Street, Mann said.
The Board of Trustees meeting room is becoming cramped, which could be an issue if there's a meeting that draws a large attendance from township residents, he said.
"We're looking at space and utilization," Mann said. "Our meeting room is getting small, and if there's an interesting meeting there could be a problem."
The board also shares office space with the fire department, zoning inspector and township Planning Commission as well as other branches of the township government.
Another issue is the storing of township records. According to Mann, space to keep the records is starting to run thin.
"We're required by the state to keep a lot of these records," Mann said. "We'll need to come up with more storage space, and maybe add some file cabinets."
Some of the suggestions discussed by the Township Board include making additions to the hall by building another meeting room and adding an additional office. Mann said the renovations will continue to be discussed at several of the board's upcoming meetings.
"Right now all we have are part-time offices, and none of us have full-time hours," Mann said. "We're about five to 10 years away from needing to have full-time offices."
If renovations take place, Manchester Township would be the second township in the area to have upgraded their hall in recent years. Last year, Bridgewater Township made improvements to its hall to celebrate its 125th anniversary. Upgrades were made to the exterior of the building, including new wood on the stairs and ramp to the entrance and a fresh paint job on the hall. Inside, improvements were made to create more storage space.
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