Beecher Police Chief Terry Lemming is overjoyed with the new police facility, but there are still a few issues the village is wrestling with when it comes to the new building.
The move-in day was on May 19, and the police and other personnel are getting used to the new digs, at 250 W. Church Road.
The garage floor still needs some maintenance, and there are a few other “minor” issues that need to be taken care of, according to Public Works Superintendent Matthew Conner.
But a problem has developed with the roof that will need some extra attention.
“Stay tuned for that,” Conner said at the June 9 village board meeting. “We were up in the attic this morning, and (on June 6) there are broken screws that are holding the decking boards down. It’s making portions of the roof heave, if you will.
“So the construction contractor and the roofer were both on site today, and we’re waiting for a solution to that issue.”
Screws aside, Lemming is happy with what he has seen so far.
“It’s beautiful,” he said. “It’s absolutely better than I ever expected. I thank you (the board) and the residents who voted for it.
“And I really believe there is room for expansion when the village gets bigger. We had to downsize a little bit when we got the estimates, but it turned out really, really nice.”
He said it will be great for recruiting new officers, as well as keeping the current officers.
Lemming added the Community Room in the facility is open for any nonprofit organization. He said the room also is set up in case the village board wants to host a meeting there.
Cops and Bobbers coming
Lemming and his staff are kicking around the idea of teaching kids to fish near the facility – calling it the Cobs and Bobbers program.
“I never fished in my life – not once,” he said. “It won’t be me teaching them.”
Mayor Marcy Meyer joked that maybe the kids can teach Lemming how to fish.
“I don’t think so,” Lemming said as laughter broke out.