The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1917-03-16
ESTIMATES OF COST
WILL BE OBTAINED
Expense Of Remodelling Is
Also To Be Matter
Of Investigation

Reporting TO city council in special
session Monday evening, the fire COM
Hittee recommended that new build
ing for the fire department be con-
structed at the rear of the recently
purchased armory building, the same
to face on Gay street
Some slight difference of opinion
resulted over the report. Councilman
Hookway favored the remodeling of
the armory into an engine-house,
pointing out that, If a new building
were erected, the armory would al
ways remain as it is, but If the arm
ory were to be used for fire depart
ment purposes, il could later be made
into city hall by adding story
Councilman Pfouts, member of
the fire committee, gave 1t as his opin-
ion that the construction of a small
fire-house at the back of the building
is the logical thing to do, inasmuch as
remodeling the armory would cost al
most as much as new construction
work.
Councilman Brentlinger believed
that committee should be appointed
to get estimates on remodeling the
armory and also on the cost Of putting
up a new building and made motion
to this effect. His motion prevailed
and President Clutter named Council
men Hookway, Pfouts and Salisbury
as the committee.
President Clutter said that, in face
OF the criticism Of councils action in
disposing of the old Third ward en-
gine house and the purchase of the
-armory, he still believed that the step
was a good one. He said that coun-
Gil should be judged not by the mar
rowness of the present. but by the
fnture The city will unquestionably
End need of the armory sometime
later, he stated, and It must be with
the attitude OF Judging the city's well
ssre over a period of years that coun-
ellis action should be considered
Councilman Weaver said that he
didn't care "a whoop" for criticism as
he always did his duty as he saw 1t.
Ee thought, however, that the city
could effect saving OF something
like $4,000 II the old building were to
be remodeled,
Asked to estimate roughly the eX-
pense of constructing new building,
CITY Engineer Anderson stated that II
would probably cost between $4,000
and 10000 IL the plans originally pre-,
pared were adhered to. He explain
ed. however, that since this estimate
had been made, building materials
had increased In price and that he
really couldn't say definitely just how
much the work would cost. He eX
pressed desire to co-ouerate with
council in seeking this estimate,
In connection with the armory mat
ter. Councilman liookway inquired OF
Safety Director Parker why the build
fng had been purchased with back
taxes due upon II. The latter replied
that this was according to the Original
agreement made by +. o. Arnold for
mer owner, by council, Councilman
Salisbury recalled that, when the city
fathers attempted TO secure an optior
on the building. MIR. Arnold asked
$4,000 which price he later reduced
10 1000 II council would pay tn,
tsxns. On motion. Clerk Wootton wal
Instructed 70 present the option con
tAining this clause at the next meet
ing OF council. Councilman Hookwa!
r9crsisted. "Why didn't you pay tn,
taxes. instead OF allowing the l5 pc
cent penalty TO accumulate" Direct
OF Parker replied that he had no mon
ey with which to pay the taxes,
The fire committee also recon
sended that. instead OF Transferring
the sum OF $15267 from the saiet,
general fund to a special subdivision
the rent due on the armory building
be collected and the taxes paid in thil
way. The report was received anC
flied.
A third report OF the committee wa
recommendation that the city ren
all OF the armory, inasmuch as two o
the lower rooms are now occupies