Village approves fire station contractor: On Monday Nov. 10, Brandon Fire Chief Bob McArthur won the final approval for a $1,000,060 bid to begin constructing Fire Station 3 on Oakwood Road.
Village approval was the final step before awarding Premacon Inc., of Southfield the lowest bid of a three-part bid package.
“I don’t anticipate getting through this without problems. There are always issues, but the architect was very supportive, the other chiefs were glad and everything looks like it’s coming together.”
McArthur told the council following a pre-construction meeting next week, he anticipates site work and footings to be done this year. A target construction start will be spring of 2004.
McArthur won approval for the three-part bid from the township Nov.3. The unanimous approval included $12,000 for an epoxy floor covering in the apparatus room. An additional bid of $8,000 for a lightning protection system.
Delivery trucks on the street pose hazard:
Traffic Investigation Association said a proposal for Hamilton’s Feed delivery trucks to park on the street to unload more than 20,000 tons of supplies weekly poses a safety hazard to the public. Backing the 53-foot semis into the loading dock also poses a safety problem to Mabelena’s Quilt Shop.
In addition, TIA said the village should place a reinforced cement flower box in front of Mabelena’s shop, at the edge of the sidewalk, which would deter truck drivers from running up onto the sidewalk, and would also be aesthetically pleasing.
As a result of an ongoing debate whether Hamilton’s delivery trucks should be allowed to continue using a ramp constructed in front of Mabelena’s Quilt Shop, in order to back down Hamilton’s ramp for deliveries, village manager Paul Zelenak requested TIA study possible solutions that would be viable to both businesses.
Previously Brenda Heffernan, owner of Mabelena’s, requested the village prohibit the delivery trucks from turning onto the sidewalk because the drivers pull too close to her building encroaching on pedestrian safety.
“I’m concerned with safety of my customers,” Heffernan said. “I think at some point you have to say this can not be allowed any longer and I’m holding the village liable.”
Another issue attached to the problem is that in order for Hamilton’s to receive the deliveries, Zelenak proposed a traffic order prohibiting parking in front of Mabelena’s on Wednesday and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Heffernan says the time limitation is one-third of the time her business is open. She is opposed to the limits, however, since the spaces were only added this September, not many customers have commented regarding the inconvenience of not using the space at those times. Heffernan added, however, that both she and her customers would be offended should the traffic order provide a means for the customers to receive tickets if they park there during prohibited hours.
Hamilton’s has attempted to limit delivery times, has talked to suppliers about using smaller delivery trucks, and now has the company’s employees guiding the delivery truck maneuvers. Hamilton’s has also offered to cut six to eight feet of roof off its building to allow ease for backing down the delivery ramp. In addition, Bill Kratt told council he would remove the fence from the west side of his building, so drivers have more space in which to turn the semi-trailers into.
“I understand Brenda’s problem,” Kratt said. “I’m just trying to get the trucks in and out as fast as I can.”
After much discussion, council directed Zelenak to pursue a language proposal that would create a 10-minute loading zone in front of Mabelena’s Quilt Shop, as well as explore the construction of the reinforced flower box to be placed at the edge of the sidewalk in front of the shop.
CDBG funds allocated to Old Mill Repairs
The village council voted to allocate 2004 Community Development Block Grant funds, totalling $8,000 to continue repairs on the village-owned Old Mill. Among the repairs, Historical Society President Tom Stowell has requested a portion of those funds be used to install a sprinkler system in the building.