Cumming Township residents in favor of new hall

By Tim Barnum
News Editor | news@ogemawherald.com

CUMMING TWP. — Cumming Township residents believe it is time for a new township hall.

Township Supervisor Charles Katynski said the township board sent out surveys gauging interest in a new hall to township taxpayers this summer along with their tax bills. After the surveys were reviewed during the Oct. 4 meeting, the surveys showed a majority were in favor of building a new hall.

“We went over the surveys, and the surveys were better than two to one — two to one in favor,” he said.

He added there were 79 surveys turned in that said they supported building a new hall, and 36 surveys against it. Katynski said board members will now begin taking a look at their funding and financing options, as well as figuring out the specifications of the hall.

“First, we have to look at what we want in a new hall,” he said.

According to Katynski, after deciding what the important features would be in the new hall, the township board will have to get approximate costs and meet with an architect to draw up some blueprints.

Katynski said throughout the project, the township board will work to make sure those who opposed building a new hall are satisfied. Most opposed, he added, have some sentimental connection with the hall, which is a former one-room schoolhouse.

“There are those who really want to keep the old hall,” he said. “It is somewhat of a historical building.”

The hall, which is about 100 years old, does have a few issues, Katynski said.

“Really, there’s not structural (problems), there’s things like mold that comes into the picture,” he said.

Asbestos and lead are also present in the hall, he added, which would make renovating a costly project.

“The cost of refurbishing is sometimes greater than building a new one,” he said.

Even though the building is a century old, a change about 10 years ago prevents it from being an official historical building, Katynski said.

“It’s been changed,” he said. “There’s not a slate roof on there anymore. We put a steel roof on it, so it’s not historical anymore.”

While it looks like a new hall will be built, Katynski said no location has been designated for it.

“Right now, that really hasn’t been discussed too much,” he said, adding it could possibly be adjacent to the current hall and on the same property.

Katynski said with an election upcoming, which could mean different board members would be making decisions on the new hall, the board will wait a few months before moving forward on the project.

“We’re going to start programming this project the first of the year,” he said.

Cumming Township’s current hall is located at 750 N. Morrison Rd.