With all due diligence met for a new township hall, officials are hoping to close the deal this week.
‘Our attorney will be giving his analysis of everything to the board, but as it stands right now it appears that everything is in order,? Dave Wagner, Independence Township supervisor. ‘I’ve asked him to put it in writing just so there is no confusion or appearance of distrust.?
The appraisal came back at just under four million dollars, which Wagner was ‘pleased? about.
‘The board put a figure on it, that it had to be at least $3.5 million and we only paid $2.7 million,? said Wagner. ‘I know some people feel that we have to add that $800,000 in to it, but that is actually furnishing and moving expense in there too, which is going to take a big chunk of that $800,000.?
The appraisal was conducted by Fuller Appraisal Services out of Waterford.
“They are well recognized for their professionalism and abilities to look at unique projects,? Wagner said.
Trustee Dan Kelly was also glad the appraisal came back positive.
“I really think it was a win, win for the township,? said Kelly. ‘It’s unfortunate that we got bogged down in the process and as I have said before we probably could have handled that better. I wish we had done it better, but in the end we did listen to the public and it looks as if it was a good deal for the township.?
Wagner also noted both environmental study and letter from Plante Moran were positive.
‘The environmental study, we weren’t too concerned about that,? he said. ‘There was one done a year prior to ours, so we were confident that would come back good and it did.?
Kelly said it was important they got the ‘green light? and he feels ‘satisfied that the due diligence appears to be complete.?
Trustee Larry Rosso was ‘quite pleased? with the inspections.
‘We can now proceed and hopefully get into the new township hall in the winter some time,? he said.
Wagner noted he has had many positive calls and discussion from the community about the new town hall.
‘Once again they’ve expressed how they wished it would have been a little more open, but they have completely supported the project. We’ve had very little negative comments, although they are still out there,? he said. ‘No matter what some people are not interested in change. This is a positive change for the entire community.?
Trustee Dan Travis disagrees, saying he was ‘surprised? the appraisal came back as it did, and he still feels the deal ‘was not well thought out as far the longevity? of the borrowing from water and sewer in the current economic times.
‘Thirty years and no public input even if they took the second meeting when it was revisited with the public, it didn’t change any position, it didn’t change or adjust anyone’s thinking,? said Travis. ‘The whole process was flawed as far as I’m concerned.?
Wagner is working on a plan for township board to relocate Independence Township’s sheriff substation to property next to the new township hall.
‘They have outgrown their space at the fire department, and the fire department also needs additional space, so we’ll be looking at that in the upcoming months,? he said.
He is hoping there will be no need ‘to go to the voters ask for additional monies.?
‘We have a healthy fund balance in the police fund that we been saving, knowing this day would eventually come, so we wouldn’t have to go with any special millages to build that additional facility,? Wagner said. ‘There will be plenty of time for if and when the board decides to do this for public comment at meetings. The township has always been very supportive of police and fire.?