Farmers Weekly Review

Green Garden Township Trustees voted unanimously this month to authorize the retention of TRIA Architecture to conduct a site survey to begin the process of the town hall renovation.

Township Supervisor Don Murday said that once the survey is completed, efforts will turn to the actual renovation.

Among the improvements town officials have discussed are plumbing, a new septic system, HVAC, a better parking lot and, possibly, wiring.

Officials also have noted that the building is old and non-ADA compliant. It reportedly served many decades ago as the gymnasium for the elementary school cater-cornered from it on Center Road.

Some residents have questioned whether the township officially owns the building or the property it sits on, but Murday said it does.

“In 1974, Albert H. Krusemark conveyed to Green Garden Township the property commonly known as 25506 S. Center Road, Monee, Illinois, by way of a Quit Claim Deed,” Murday explained.

“The deed included a restrictive covenant that requires that the property ‘be used solely for township government purposes.’

“As such, the township owns the town hall property, the building upon it, and the ground beneath it. Green Garden Township will continue to own the property, unless and until it is used for something other than for township government purposes.

“The township has received assurances in writing from both the county and state that any potential future widening of Monee-Manhattan Road will not impact the town hall.”

A $58,312 grant received in October 2022 will help fund the project.

“This grant was awarded to us by Will County pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), funded by the federal government,” Murday said. “This grant focuses on an upgrade to the septic system, HVAC and paving the parking lot of town hall.”

In May, Green Garden Township was awarded an additional $500,000 from Will County, again under the American Rescue Plan Act, Murday said. These funds will be used to renovate other aspects of town hall and make it ADA-accessible.

“In the current budget for the township, we have $160,000 allocated for town hall renovation,” he said. supervisor continued. “Part of this project will also entail potential signage for the town hall and a lighted flag pole.”

Township Trustee Cherie Newton will oversee the project, along with Green Garden Township resident Mark Sarkaisian and Murday.

“We are currently working with Ragan Pattison of Harbour Contractors, Inc., to help us navigate this process,” Murday added. “Ragan was instrumental in assisting us in the application process for these grant awards.

“We are currently working with architect Jim Petrakos in laying out the scope and process for moving forward.

“While we are eager to get this project moving forward, we realize that complying with all grant requirements can necessarily slow down the process. It will be worth the wait.”