Despite subcommittee meetings, the Leighton Township Board and Leighton Township Library remain at loggerheads on the issue of who pays for repairs of a nearly 20-year-old roof that may be necessary in the next three years.

The library and township hall in Moline came under one roof almost exactly a year ago when the latter was constructed because of a lack of space in the old facility on Kalamazoo Avenue. The two entities have have been living under that one roof since and agreements have been reached on how to share expenses such as utilities, but this one issue stubbornly remains unresolved.

Supervisor Steve Deer and Trustee John Hooker are the township representatives in meeting with Library Board reps, and they reported Thursday night that the latest proposal is to have the library and township both pay 50% for the cost in the next three years.

But Clerk Mary Lou Niewenhuis said it’s her understanding from the contract from 20 years ago that “the township shall not be liable for repairs.”

Hooker said the Library Board contends the expected work on the roof is not a repair, but a replacement. The latter procedure is not mentioned in the contract that was forged when the library was built in 1997.

The Library Board also contends it pays the township $1,000 each year and those funds could be used to replace the roof, but Nieuwenhuis countered that the township has spent more than $1,000 for the library’s audit and other services.

“We pay them back more than what they pay us,” she said. “I still say that rood is 100% theirs,” noting the library alone has had the benefit of it for almost 20 years.

She added, “This wasn’t intended to be a general township general fund expense. The library is supposed to be self sufficient.”

Treasurer Char Troost added, “I really think they have to pay for that roof.”

The Leighton Township Library was awarded a two-mill annual levy almost 20 years ago to have the new facility built and for operations afterward. The two mills have been reduced to one after the facility was completed.

Deer said there has been a lot of progress in resolving expense issues, but this one remains the biggest stumbling block to complete agreement.

“We might schedule a Committee of the Whole and lock the door (for negotiations),” he quipped.

In other business at Thursday night’s meeting, the Township Board:

• Was told the Planning Commission Wednesday night approved a special use permit request from Jim Grimley to operate a maple syrup processing and saw mill facility at 739 Stoney Ridge Court. The operation will not include any sales.

• Was told by Deer that five building permits were issued in September with a total value of $1.4 million. The year-to-date totals are 40 permits, all for residential, for a total value of $11.2 million.

• Agreed to suggest to the Allegan County Road Commission the next road project be construction of 144th Avenue east of Kalamazoo Avenue, about 1.4 miles to Second Street. Board members hope to have the road paved within the next three years. Cost will be more than a million dollars because of eight culverts and excavation at a swamp.

• Approved snow plow bids from Green Lake Landscaping of $38 per plowing and $35 for salting for the township hall parking lot. Green Lake was granted plowing at the Moline fire station and Heyboer for the Kalamazoo Avenue station.