Seven Springs eyes new town hall
By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on August 11, 2005 1:47 PM
SEVEN SPRINGS -- An independent contractor will renovate a former church on Spring Street in Seven Springs to turn it into a new town hall.
The Seven Springs town board voted unanimously Wednesday night to hire Jimmy Alphin to do the construction work at a cost of $7,820. Alphin said he can start work within the next four weeks.
The town has been operating in a mobile town hall on the hill above town since the floods of 1999. The town bought the church, which was also flooded, to house a new town hall and library. Town officials hope to move into the former Seven Springs Baptist Church as soon as possible because the narrow Church Street that goes up the hill to the current town hall can be dangerous during the winter months.
Commissioner Danny Carter said the town is going to have to do something soon to get the building ready to move into before freezing weather hits the town.
The plumbing and electrical work will be done by licensed contractors and will cost extra. Town officials don't know how much yet.
Alphin said he could find a plumber to do the pipes in the handicapped bathroom for $900, and an electrician to do the wiring for $800.
But Carter, who is also a contractor, said it could cost 50 percent more than that to get the job done.
Town Commissioner Allen Cash said he has seen Alphin's work, and he is a good contractor. He said if Alphin can get the plumbing and electrical work done at the prices he said he can, he would be satisfied with Alphin.
But Mayor Emma Ward said she has a problem with Alphin not being licensed or insured, but added the difference in the fee required to hire another contractor would be significant.
A licensed contractor, Carter's Home Improvements of Moss Hill, had offered to handle everything including the plumbing and electrical work and painting for $11,900.
Commissioner Rodolph Adams said the bigger companies that are licensed will cost the town more money.
The town has enough money in the budget to do the work, Town Clerk Deanna Grady said.
In other business, the Seven Springs town board voted to hire someone to build a 25-by-50 picnic shelter-pavilion across Spring Street from the playground. The board plans to build a replica of the old gazebo and spring house that once made Seven Springs famous. A special meeting with the contractor might be called soon.
-- To hire Taylor's Hauling and Backhoe to dig up old drainage tile and re-grade a ditch on Spring Street. The cost is $135 per hour for the excavator and dump truck. It will take three men to do the work. A high estimate for the work to be done is $4,000.
-- To hire Mike Dawson to mow all of the overgrown lots owned by the town. His cost last year was about $250.