The Santiago Township Board meeting Wednesday included a discussion centered on the on-going issue with the carpet installed in the main room in the town hall building, which is peeling up at the seams and corners, presenting a hazard for walkers and an unsightly picture for those using the facility.
The board agreed that something needs to be done on the issue, since it is the third time the carpet is in need of replacement since the facility was built just a few years ago. A part of the construction deal then was that a certain percentage of the materials used had to be recycled or “Green” in nature. Chairman Stuart Nelson opined that, given the number of times the carpet has failed,
We have tried to be “Green” on this, but now we need other options.”
Clerk Kathy Woolard also suggested that the township get information on the warranties available on the most recent installation, which the board agreed to pursue, along with an idea to consider a “one-piece” approach to the carpet issue. The current carpet consists of individual “tiles” that are curling up at the seams.
The board agreed to pursue a solution to the carpet issue, and then to bring in an electrician to deal with some outdoor lighting at the town hall/fire hall complex that is proving unreliable. “Carpet first, then the lights,” Nelson said.
Budget Talks
Treasurer Jeff Anderson asked board members to consider what road and bridge fund projects they have in mind for the coming year, and to get him that information before the January board meeting, when he will discuss the 2015 budget.
Anderson told the board that his current estimate shows the road and bridge fund and the fire fund are under budget at the moment, while the general fund expenses are at the budget total at this point.
The board also declined a request from the local coffee/card playing club to have the thermostat set at 72 degrees as it was last year, instead of the current 68 degrees. Nelson Suggested that the group members might “bring a light shawl” to their activities during the cold weather period.
The board also tabled action on a request for positive comment on a plan for a preliminary and final simple plat for a 40-acre plot in the Soperfect Development. Representatives from the Bogart-Pederson engineering firm had written to Woolard asking that the issue be placed on the agenda at the meeting, but no representative from the firm attended the December meeting.
