The Martin Township Board Wednesday night took the first steps toward expanding the township hall to make more room for offices of the clerk, treasurer and assessor.

The board voted 4-0 to hire The Architectural Group (TAG) and Dan Bode of Grandville to provide a feasibility study and artist’s conceptions of the project at a cost of $5,250. TAG just a year and half ago completed construction of the new Leighton Township Hall on 12th Street, next to the Leighton Library.

Bode said the physical work will be done by FCC Construction, but it’s not likely to begin until next year, if the project is approved.

Treasurer Sue Tiemeyer told her colleagues that the offices on the east side of the hall are so crowded that when people come in to pay taxes or ask questions, “There is no sense of privacy.”

Fire Chief Earl Wykstra echoed her sentiments, saying of the fire station, “We’re double deep (in the truck parking); we’re packed solid.”

Supervisor Glenn Leep insisted, however, “The main priority is the gals’ (Tiemeyer’s and Clerk Rachelle Smit’s)  offices.”

In other business at Wednesday evening’s meeting, the Township Board:

• Was given an update on progress of Professional Code Inspections compliance investigations into code violations, presented by Lori Castello.

• Was told by Wykstra that the Fire Department members want to purchase some equipment dedicated to the memory of late Trustee Jim Brenner.

• Was informed by Leep that the Wheeler Library graciously opened its doors for a meeting of the Broad of Review that conflicted with a fire meeting.

• Agreed to contract with SWB Enterprises again for dust control, including special designated areas for calcium chloride applications, including 122nd and 114 Avenues and Seventh Street. The cost will be slightly higher than last year, at $9,189.24. The board is trying to find out if calcium chloride is better than the customary use of brine.

• Approved a permanent easement for the Village of Martin to allow for installing a lift station by October.

• Appointed Joel Thompson as a new firefighter. Thompson recently moved to Martin Township from Otsego, where he had served as a captain on that department.

• Announced that the annual Spring Cleanup Trash Day will be May 19.

COVER PHOTO: One of TAG’s most recent construction projects was the new Leighton Township Hall, which was completed in October 2016.