One way or another, the Dorr Township complex at the corner of 142nd Avenue and 18th Street will accommodate more services and officials to do their jobs.
The Dorr Township Board finally had an earnest public discussion on options for expansion of the township hall or purchase of property. The latter option was scrapped after lengthy debate capped by Supervisor Jeff Miling’s comment, “I’d like to see us continue in the same space if we can… I’d like to see us expand this building.”
Miling, Trustees John Tuinstra and Josh Otto, and Wayland Area Emergency Services representative Penny Post serve on a special committee to explore the issue, but, as Clerk Debbie Sewers has pointed out, nothing has been done for nearly a year.
Post said, “We’ve got to get together to find out how big want it to be. Do we go up or out (for expansion)?”
The biggest obstacles thus far are lack of information and lack of money.
Trustee Terry Rios said she wants hard facts on how many people are working in the office when the public comes in.
“But we still don’t know what we need,” she added.
Treasurer Jim Martin said there are times more than just a few are crammed into a small space, and Miling said, “We have a problem with working and hearing at the same time.”
Sewers added that there needs to be enough space to conduct elections efficiently. She pointed out that the building was dedicated in 1990, but since then the growth of the township has outpaced what the building has to offer.
Trustee Dan Weber cautioned that saddling a new township board next year with a decision might be unwise.
Trustee John Tuinstra said the township still could unload the ancient former township hall and library across the street, which is now home tax free to the Then & Now historical library.
“The township has no obligation to support that building exclusively,” he asserted, though admitting he likes the service Then & Now provides. “But we don’t have an obligation to keep them (Then & Now personnel) in that building.”
More problems arise at the current site because accommodations for the fire department and emergency services are inadequate.
Fire Chief Gary Fordham said, “We need another shower and bathroom for men and women.”
Bandied about was an idea of taking out a loan from a local bank to finance an expansion project, but it still isn’t clear just how much is needed financially or for more space.
The committee is expected to meet in the next month and report to the Township Board at its next meeting.
COVER PHOTO: An artist’s sketch of the township hall when it was first opened in 1990.