White Bear Town Hall makeover continues

White Bear Press

WHITE BEAR TOWNSHIP — Construction will continue to make the Town Hall a “blast from the past” after several changes to the plan were approved by the Town Board during the May 15 regular meeting.

Changes included canceling the original painting contract, adding a front overhang, and adding a front-door awning.

The construction is following an architectural drawing provided by the Historical Society of the original Town Hall building from 1885. Although the attempt is for the building to look similar, it doesn’t have to be a perfect replica, Town Board Chair Bob Kermes said during the meeting.

“We’re not trying to duplicate this thing down to every last minute detail,” Kermes said.

Siding that is similar to the original color will try to be found in order to cut down on costs and labor time. With the addition of the front overhang and deletion of the painting contract, the net cost of the first change is $57. The front-door awning addition would be $2,805. 

The Town Board unanimously approved both changes.

The board also approved advertisements for bids regarding the completion of the project. The advertisements will run in the White Bear Press on May 24 and May 31. The bids are due by 10 a.m. on Friday, June 2. Completion of the project is to be done by Sept. 1. 

In other action at the May 15 meeting, the board: 

• Approved partial payment for a sewer lining project for $34,519, bringing the total cost of the project to $931,623. Town Engineer Jim Studenski requested the additional funds after beginning on the project and realizing more material was needed.

The funding will pay for seals, frames and casting for many of the manholes in the township. The money will come from the sanitary sewer fund.

• Approved the split of a lot, providing that the existing home on the lot be demolished. A guest home on the lot can stay as long as another home is not built or if a guest home permit is obtained by the future owner of the property.

• Changed the date of the Town Board meeting from July 3, which is a holiday, to July 5.

• Held another closed meeting for a little under an hour regarding Well No. 5 litigation with the town’s attorney.