At the Linwood Town Board’s Oct. 27 meeting, Supervisor Bob Millerbernd reported that preliminary numbers for renovating the Town Hall and Senior Center are nearly complete.
Structural Buildings Inc. had initially estimated about $327,000 to complete the work. Millerbernd said the figures now were very close to that: between $325,000 and $335,000. The basic plan right now is to “re-skin” the entire complex.
The price of steel is low now, which means that the cost of the work could be completed more economically. Millerbernd believes the work could be completed without increasing the township levy. He anticipates hard numbers on bids to be ready for the Nov. 24 board meeting.
If the decision is made to move ahead on the project, the plan is to try for early bids in January or February 2016. Millerbernd asked the company to get bids from local contractors. He also suggested a special meeting for the board and residents for discussion of the project.
At the board meeting on June 23, the sources of funds for the proposed project were tentatively identified. There is $123,000 in the Township Building Fund, $100,000 in the Building Department, and about $100,000 would be requested from the Anoka County HRA.
Auditor
Linwood supervisors selected the firm Smith Schafer as township auditors for 2015. Although pricing for the next three years was a factor, there were other considerations. City Accountant Pam Olson and City Treasurer Carrie Luedtke said they were comfortable working with either Smith Schafer or Redpath but leaned in favor of the change to Smith Schafer.
Olson thought that Smith Schafer gave more value in the audit. Luedtke’s opinion was that Smith Schafer is “more thorough.”
The firm is willing to determine equipment depreciation, commonly done in most municipalities. This would be helpful if the township ever needed to bonds for expenditures. The vote was 4-1, with Supervisor Phil Osterhus voting against.
Other business
The board authorized the purchase of a computer for residents to access their property files, apply for permits, reserve Senior Center hall space, and make online payments to the township. The setup will be wireless. The cost of the system $799.
Senior Center kitchen repairs are being completed. Supervisor Ed Kramer recommended purchase of an “on-demand” water heater. It will provide hot water on demand, and two older heaters, with smaller capacities, can be eliminated.
With the center’s remodel and floor replacement, Kramer said it makes sense to replace this appliance now rather than to tear up the kitchen again when the water heaters need replacement. Cost of the unit is $3,512, to be paid from the senior funds. A new dishwasher is also being installed.
In other business, the board granted permission for the Republican Precinct Caucus to meet in the Linwood Town Hall, Tuesday, March 1, 2016.