Construction work is under way for the expansion of the Martin Township Hall.
The addition juts out to the north of the hall to accommodate more office space for Clerk Rachelle Smit and Treasurer Sue Tiemeyer to conduct public business. Cramped office quarters have existed on the east end of the hall.
The Township Board two months ago voted to accept a $250,000 loan from United Bank at 2.85% interest over 15 years, which Treasurer Sue Tiemeyer estimated that would cost the township between $16,000 and $18,000 a year. The remainder of the total $620,000 bill will be paid from the township’s estimated fund balance of $500,000.
The board hired Dan Vos of The Architect Group of Grand Rapids, who concluded the 1,000-square-foot office expansion needs to extend from the township hall to the north, thereby cutting down on parking lot space, but paving the way for fire department expansion in the future.
In acknowledging the construction and loss of parking space, Supervisor Glen Leep said Wednesday night, “Everything is on schedule. There are no problems that were unforeseen.”
The goal is to have the extension completed before the snow flies.
In other business at its meeting Wednesday evening, the board:
• Agreed to pay Cody Visser $1,400 to be taken from the cemetery fund to remove a fallen tree in East Cemetery and do cleanup afterward.
• Was told that Zoning Enforcement Administrator Lori Castello and others have been successful in working with Nate Knight to refurbish the area not in compliance because of a gravel pit and complete the work by next month.
“He’s going to take advantage of an opportunity to avoid being shut down,” said Planning Commission Chairman Pete Zeinstra.
