Because of the continuing progress of building a new township next to the library, the Leighton Township Board took on some related expenses, both for now and later.
The board voted unanimously Thursday evening to accept the low bid for landscaping services from Kloosterman, at $9,656 for the new hall and $5,372 for the fire station, which it is leaving the let the department expand.
The contingent bid award is subject to review in attempt to make certain the township is not comparing apples to oranges in the bid specifications.
The move is part of the board’s decision last year to move out of the cramped quarters on Kalamazoo Avenue just south of Green Lake to the site of the Leighton District Library on 12th Street, Moline. Construction continues on the new hall and work on the fire station is expected to begin later this month.
Supervisor Steve Deer also told board members the township likely will have to pay added expenses for dredging a retention pond just south of the library and for a renovated drain in front.
Meanwhile, the supervisor announced the township’s millage rates will decrease slight for the next fiscal year because of provisions of the Headlee Amendment. The general fund will levy 0.774 mill for operations, 0.9941 mill for roads, 0.9941 for police and fire (public safety) and a tentative rate of 1.6754 for the library, but Clerk Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis said she hasn’t yet seen the library’s budget.
The Library Board, Nieuwenhuis reported, recently sent the board a letter making a counter offer on sharing fire sprinkler services at the new hall and library facility. The board had proposed paying 60 percent and the library 40 percent, but the Library Board’s counter offer was a 90% to 10% split.
It is expected that further negotiations will be attempted.
PHOTO: Jon Tassell (right) was sworn in Thursday evening by Clerk Mary Lou Nieuwenhuis as Leighton Township’s newest firefighter. The man in the middle is Fire Chief Tony Banas.