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Small crowd supportive of Edgerton referendum

Photo

Gazette File Photo

The Edgerton City Council is debating whether or not to hold a referendum on rebuilding or replacing its offices at 12 Albion St.

EDGERTON — Edgerton resident Dave Thomas got the star treatment at City Hall on Wednesday night.

City officials took him on a semi-private tour of the building and instantly answered all of his questions about why the city is proposing a new City Hall.

Funny thing is, Thomas has long been sold on the need for a new facility, he said.

“I’m heartily in favor of a new City Hall,” he said.

Thomas was the only non-official and non-media source to come to Edgerton’s first open house to explain the proposal for a new City Hall. Residents will decide whether or not to build one in a referendum vote June 2.

Thomas spent the evening with Mayor Erik Thompson, Administrator Ramona Flanigan, two city council members and two reporters.

Thompson took Thomas and the others through the building, pointing out its inadequacies. The facility at 12 Albion St. was built more than 100 years ago and served as a private garage before it was turned into City Hall half a century ago.

Thompson showed the group a room and closet stuffed with records. More records are stored in the police station, public works building and City Hall attic.

The attic floorboards creaked and shifted as Thompson stepped on them. A Christmas-tree base held one of the doors open.

The need for a new building isn’t just about space, Thompson said. He also worries about the safety of employees and the public, he said.

He pointed to a garbage can set in a windowsill to collect water seeping through the wall. Nearby, two beams served as a reminder of the emergency repairs the city made to the building in January to support deteriorating walls.

Outside, two wooden boards prop up a leaning parapet on the north side of the building.

“When you look at something like that, and you think about the people who work here, and it’s a health and safety issue, it becomes a priority,” Thompson said.

Flanigan said she thinks most people realize the need for a new facility. Now it’s a question of spending the money.

Thompson and other city officials have argued now is the perfect time to build because costs and interest rates are low. The city can work the $1.2 million project into its debt load without raising taxes, and might be eligible to receive federal stimulus grants, Thompson said.

Still, Alderman Matt McIntyre said some people don’t want to spend money on anything right now, regardless of the affordability or need. Before the city council voted to go to referendum in June, McIntyre suggested waiting until fall or next year.

He’s still not sure what the right answer is, he said.

“My main concern was to make sure the citizens of this community get all the information possible,” he said.