ARCHER LODGE -- After years of planning and months of construction, the town’s first town hall is on schedule for completion within the next month or so.
Council members met Monday in one of their last sessions at the Archer Lodge Community Center. By year’s end, they expect to be meeting in the new town hall on Buffalo Road.
“It’s really taking shape in such a short while,” Mayor Mike Gordon said. “It will be nice to finally have a place to put our stuff. This building is something to be proud of.”
Councilman Jeff Barnes has been overseeing the building project. He told his fellow council members that construction of the 2,480-square-foot building is in the finishing stages. Windows have been hung, wiring for security, communications, heating and cooling is in place, and a first coat of interior paint has been applied. By the end of the week, temporary electrical power should light up the building.
“It’s moving right along,” Barnes said.
To reduce costs, members voted to separate landscaping and flagpole installation from the project’s original contract. They agreed to review and renegotiate a proposal from resident Mike Lipcsak, a part-time firefighter and landscape-company owner who has offered to beautify the building’s grounds. The council put a $6,000 cap on the project.
“I really think we’re going to have a Class A building when we’re through,” said Councilman Clyde Castleberry. He also commended Barnes for his daily supervising of the construction process.
Council members pondered a date for an open house to show the new town offices to the public. The event might coincide with the town’s annual Christmas celebration and tree lighting on Nov. 25.
Archer Cove complaint
Sasha Renfrow, who lives in Archer Cove subdivision, appeared before the council to address complaints made about her property.
At the August work session, Councilman Mark Wilson introduced numerous complaints from neighbors about the parking of a commercial vehicle on Renfrow’s lot, which is at the corner of Helena Lane and Covered Bridge Road.
She presented a petition signed by 34 neighbors who say they do not mind a tractor-trailer rig being parked on her land. Renfrow said her husband drives the rig and that it’s gone an average of two to three days a week. She requested and received copies of the complaints submitted to the council.
The Town of Archer Lodge abides by the county’s ordinances.
“People around here don’t mind seeing hard-working people trying to make a living,” Renfrow said after the meeting. “We’re a small business, and it feels like I’m being ganged up on.”
The town council will hold its next meeting at 7 p.m. Nov. 14.
