Wakefield municipal building remodeling done for now

By P.J. GLISSON

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Wakefield - Remodeling of the office areas in the Wakefield municipal building is complete, and a public-use agreement for the building's new gym is official.

The Wakefield City Council voted on the agreement at their regular meeting Monday evening, and city manager Richard Brackney reported the remodeling status.

"Everything is in place," Brackney said. "I think it's very nice. We've had a lot of good comments on it."

Starting last year, Brackney's office was divided in half to allow for the construction of a storage room. The remainder of his office then was refurbished in a cozier size.

Building windows also were replaced, and the service desk was reconfigured to include a new countertop and lower storage.

A security fence was installed to protect the office area from the entry hall, and new office furniture also was purchased.

Meanwhile, separate funds gathered by 4 the Kids, a private fundraising initiative, made it possible to replace the community room floor and to equip that room with amenities to allow basketball and soccer practice. Netting for baseball practice is the next goal for that room.

Brackney and other city officials also hope before long to use city funds to finance new bathroom facilities, and they hope eventually also to upgrade the kitchen adjacent to the community room.

The Wakefield planning commission also discussed immediate building goals Monday.

Chairman Dale White, who was reelected to his role by a unanimous vote, told commission members he already has spoken with members of the Wakefield Historical Society.

"They'll get back to me about ideas for the city hall décor," said White, who also plans to request help from other artistic citizens who may wish to advise on municipal building color schemes and other issues of décor.

"We want to showcase the history and beauty of the city," said White while commission members discussed ideas for framed art and photos throughout the building.

Commission member Dion DelFavero pushed hard for a designated area for local artists, including that from younger souls.

Gym use rules

The new gym agreement states that users will pay no fee to enjoy the room while the city hall has regular office hours, but users not affiliated with sports programs at the Wakefield-Marenisco High School will pay $5 per hour when city offices are closed on evenings and weekends.

Such persons may use the facility on a first-come, first-serve basis, or they may schedule at the city desk in advance and pay a $10 deposit for building keys that must be returned by the next business day.

Fines will be issued in any of the following circumstances: 1. If keys are lost or not immediately returned; 2. If building damage occurs, or 3. If windows are left open.

All users also must sign a waiver of liability that states the city is not responsible for injuries incurred during events sponsored by other parties.

Finally Brackney said, "Even when we're here, we still require an adult to be the supervisor." He said city employees will not assume that role.

Council members also:

-Learned city attorney Ray O'Dea will draft an ordinance to repeal the city's civil service agreement. He said members can plan to have the ordinance's first reading in March.

-Discussed their desire to purchase sewer camera equipment and to invite Bessemer Township supervisor Jeff Randall to borrow it as needed, rather than to split the cost of such equipment with the township.

-Voted to pay $600 to cover tuition costs for municipal training for city clerk Sue Ahonen.

-Learned the city's new loader has arrived.