From Debris To Girl Scouts To Architect, It Was An Evening Of Problem Solving for ETH Managers

By Kendra Bobowick

A collage of issues stretched both patience and emotions among Edmond Town Hall Board of Managers members Tuesday.

Treasures from one project became another man’s trash this week, as Alexander Schonleben explained to the board that construction debris has collected along his property that borders the back parking lot behind town hall.

Soft-spoken and polite, Mr Schonleben asked the board, “I was wondering what can be done about it. I was hoping a correction could be made.”

Mr Gill said, “I think we could take a look at that.”

Mr Schonleben described discarded concrete, construction materials, and trash lining a portion of his land where he keeps bees. He is worried about his property values.

Building Superintendent Clark Kathan reassured him. “We’ll take care of it when the contractor comes back,” he said.

Mr Gill also said that they would make certain his property was cleared of any materials.

Proving a difficult decision was the motion to deny the Girl Scouts’ request to place a plaque on display in town hall.

“They contacted me again,” Tom Mahoney said. He explained that the plaques honor scouts of certain rank. The request stumped members momentarily.

Sandra Motyka said, “We have no precedent for this,” as far as showcasing local groups’ items.

Devoid of guidelines in deciding whether to grant the Girl Scouts permission, Jane Sharpe took a practical approach explaining, “It doesn’t sound nice to say, but every organization will be looking to us.”

Ms Motyka wanted to express something positive about the request saying, “It is a nice thing that we are the center of the community and I’d like to be able to [grant permission] but we would have so many requests.”

If the board opened doors to inquiries, Ms Motyka said, “It would be hard to sort out.” She also had concerns regarding where to place a display.

She saw another hurdle. “It would not be germane to this building,” she said.

Prompt with his agreement, Chairman Jay Gill said, “Exactly.”

Ms Motyka believes the town hall’s demands already have the board’s attention divided and said, “There are so many things to consider at this point.”

However, she also feels that “we haven’t given it the time we should. We tabled this some time ago.”

Following Ms Motyka’s lead, Ms Sharpe said, “They deserve an answer.”

Putting an end to discussions was newer member James Juliano who said, “Then I’ll make a motion not to put up the plaques, to set a precedent.”

Disconcerted with the decision, Ms Motyka said, “I feel badly in the respect that there should be a place in the community to show off things like this.”

Speaking about the town hall, she said, “We don’t have that kind of space, unfortunately.”

Sandra Motyka is intent on thanking and recognizing Edgar Beers — longtime board member and former chairman, now resigned — for his years of contributions to Newtown.

Following up on an idea she expressed last month about sending Mr Beers correspondence, she now wants to wait for one last formality. Tuesday, she sought the board’s approval to officially title the collection of photos. Mr Beers had given funds for the photo preservation.

“I move to name it the Edgar Beers Collection, it was close to his heart, and I would like to be able to tell him that in his letter,” she said. “I would like to tell him that the board voted that the body of photographic work displayed is the Edgar Beers Collection.”

Ms Sharpe offered her support.

“I think that would be super,” she said. The board unanimously approved the motion.

Because of space constraints, Ms Motyka suggested displaying the collection on certain special occasions. Many historic photos of town hall in various shapes and sized comprise the collection, which Mr Beers had enlarged and preserved.

Striving to find a feasible way to refinish the kitchen adjacent to the Alexandria Room, board members have been fishing for estimates to redo the space. Prices are hovering just above $180,000 for the equipment — stove, ovens, etc — but do not include any electrical work or plumbing, for example.

Goals to restore the facility as a catering space would mean overhauling, replacing, and improving the appliances and meeting code requirements.

Considering the price, Mr Gill said, “I think $180,000 and the equipment we’ve asked for is an excellent price.” He suggested the amount may be “a little inflated” considering the project is “a couple years down the road.”

Absence spoke loudly at Tuesday’s meeting. Architect Alan Black, who headed up the elevator project and addition to the Edmond Town Hall, did not attend as had been expected.

Chairman Jay Gill and others had formally invited Mr Black to the board’s meeting for an update and discussion about the project. However, he neither showed up nor sent an explanation for his absence.

Revealing his exasperation, Mr Gill said, “We notified Mr Black by mail with a return receipt requested,” said Mr Gill. “And he did pick that up.”

Building Superintendent, Clark Kathan, said the elevator has passed inspection, and now requires a certificate of occupancy.

Wanting a report on the timeframe for this project, already months overdue, Mr Gill said, “I was going to ask him to explain some things to us, but he obviously chose not to come.”

Worried about the project’s completion, Mr Gill had questions for Mr Black, “but obviously he chose not to be here.”