Valley Township finalizing plans for $1.9 million project

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LUCASVILLE — The Valley Township Board of Trustees held a special meeting on Tuesday, July 12, at 5 p.m. at the construction site of the new $1.9 million dollar Community Services Building which is currently under construction at 583 Robert Lucas Road in Lucasville.

The purpose of the special meeting was to discuss some minor changes to the building plans.

Present at the meeting were Valley Township Board of Trustees, David See, chairman, Larry Merritt, and Melissa Horsley. Also present were Valley Township Fiscal Officer Lanette Wagner, Teri Horton, Valley Township Fire Department Chief, and assistant chief Shane Conley.

See prefaced the meeting by stating that there were some issue their were two issues that needed to be addressed, with one the Valley Township Trustees were not aware of, and something for them to consider.

The first item discussed on the agenda was the discussion of of Horton’s office that will be housed in the new Valley Township Community Services building. Horton’s office is presently divided up into two offices, to accommodate Horton, and the rest of the Valley Volunteer Fire Department membership.

“Standing directly next to the area under construction which will be the area for Horton’s office, See pointed to the area in question as he addressed the board.

“In the original concept, in meeting with Teri, and trying to meet the needs of the fire department for all of the membership, and then she needed a place firemen to fill out their reports, and she needed an office of course,” See said. “Originally this was divided in half, and then we lose the wall to enlarge her (Horton’s) office, you have printer, and computer here for them to do their reports.

Then in the reconstruction, or the rebid when were redesigning she (Horton) still didn’t like the size of her office,” See said.”In meeting with Terry, we are trying to meet all of the fire department’s needs. The guys needed a place to fill out their reports, and she (Horton)needed an office of course, of her own.”

Horton swiftly informed the group that she is the sole person responsible for completing reports, and that no other members of the Valley Township Fire Department other than herself completed reports.

See posed a question directly to Horton, asking her what ways would the size of her office prevent her from doing her duties, and was met with a reponse from

As the discussion continued, measurements were taken of the office space to ascertain how the space would actually be utilized if the adjustments were made to accommodate Horton’s desire for more space, as well as discussion of reports are done by the fire department.

Tension arose between Horton, and See, as Horton insisted that See was upset about her request to utilize the space exclusively as her own office. See said he was not upset about Horton’s request, but wanted to take into consideration the needs of the 35 men on the VFD, and how the lack a space allotted from them would affect them.

A motion was made made by Merritt to remove the wall in the office space, as requested by Horton suggested. The motion was seconded by Horsely. Both Merritt and Horsely voted in favor of the motion, See voted against the motion.

The motion carried. The adjustments are estimated to cost approximately $200, and no more than $500, according to See.

Additionally, See discussed with the group the idea of putting insulation in the studs. See said he was advised that in the long run, it would pay off in utilities, and would also look better. No motion was made, as See said he did not have an estimate of what the insulation would cost.

See told The Daily Times that he looks forward to the Aug. 15, 2016, is the anticipated completion of the Community Services Building.

“We are just thankful to the community that has supported us. This is something that is very needed,” See said. ” It is scheduled to be completed August 15th, but they are running a bit behind. I think they are running about three or four weeks behind. We will definitely have a big dedication later on in the fall.”

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David See, chairman of the Valley Township Board of Trustees, at the site of the Community Services Building that is currently under construction.
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/07/web1_Dave-1.jpgDavid See, chairman of the Valley Township Board of Trustees, at the site of the Community Services Building that is currently under construction. Portia Williams | Daily Times

The new Valley Fire Department and Community Services Building in Lucasville is expected to be completed around Aug. 15, 2016.
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/07/web1_IMG_0182-1.jpgThe new Valley Fire Department and Community Services Building in Lucasville is expected to be completed around Aug. 15, 2016. Portia Williams | Daily Times

The Valley Township Board of Trustees held a special meeting at the site of the new Community Services Building that is currently under construction on Tuesday, July 12.
http://portsmouth-dailytimes.aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/28/2016/07/web1_Trustees-1.jpgThe Valley Township Board of Trustees held a special meeting at the site of the new Community Services Building that is currently under construction on Tuesday, July 12. Portia Williams | Daily Times

By Portia Williams

[email protected]

Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.

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