By Tracy Ouellette
SLN Staff
The East Troy Village Board approved April 4 the hiring of Exel Engineering to create a master plan for renovations that need to be done to the Municipal Building on Energy Drive.
Exel Engineering’s Tony LaShay took the board members and audience on a tour of the Municipal Building at the March 28 committee of the whole meeting, pointing out trouble spots and discussing ideas on how to fix some of the most immediate problems with the facility.
Board members agreed that one of the most pressing needs is the entrance by the clerk’s office. The area isn’t user friendly and many people who enter the building turn immediately to the left, where Parks and Recreation is instead of right, where the clerk’s window is.
The board discussed opening up the entrance area by removing the wall that sits directly across from the doors and creating a lobby with seating for those waiting to discuss business with the staff.
The also talked about making the clerk’s window much larger to allow for more than one person to be served at a time and to open the space up.
LaShay and Trustee Scott Seager took the board through the building, pointing out other areas that could be fixed, or renovated to better serve the village and its residents. They pointed out problems with some of the other entrances, doors and crumbling concrete.
While the board members all recognized there was work to be done, they were concerned with the lack of a master plan for the facility.
“I just think this is premature,” Board President Randy Timms said. “We’re talking about fixing things, but there is no comprehensive plan on exactly what needs to be done here.”
Trusteen Ann Zess agrees, saying that’s what the meeting was about, to get an idea of what the village was facing and expert advice on how to proceed.
Among the things that needs to be fixed is the building HVAC system, which preliminary bids have come in around $500,000 for the work. There was discussion on how to possibly bring that number down if the interior walls in the Village Hall were extended to the ceiling to create separate heating/cooling zones.
Trustee Dusty Stanford said he wanted a master plan they could use over a period of time, with projects done as finances allowed and as necessary.
The master plan from Exel Engineering will cost the village $5,000.
The board also approved April 4 the East Troy Area Chamber of Commerce’s request to have a beer walk on the village square in conjunction with the annual Corn & Brat Roast over Memorial Day weekend. Brewfest will be from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, May 29.
