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HARTINGTON – With the completion of the new city shop only a few months away, the Hartington City Council decided Monday to put the old Fire Hall up for sale.
The 102 east Centre Street building has been used for the past several years for storage but will no longer be needed once the new building is completed.
Council members were not sure at this point exactly how they plan to sell it, but noted a public auction might be a good idea.
Mayor Mark Becker said the building has generated quite a bit of interest lately.
'We need to let people know, we are planning on selling it,' Becker said. 'Hopefully, we can get something nice in there that will add to our community.'
Becker also updated the council on another city project — renovation of the Skylon Ballroom. Becker said the floor has been poured and electrical is hooked up. The entryway addition at the front of the building should be here next week. Current plans are to have the facility up and running in time for August weddings, he said.
The council also approved a building permit and a conditional use permit to allow Hartington Ace Hardware to build a vestibule and entryway to the front of their 207 north Summit Street building and to put a propane filling station on the premises.
The Hartington Planning and Zoning Commission gave its approval for the project at its April 9 meeting. The Nebraska State Fire Marshall's office also gave its approval.
The council also took Tree Board President Dan Kathol's recommendation to appoint Ben Beckman to the Tree Board. Kathol said he was very appreciative when Beckman asked him about the position a few weeks ago.
'This move allows us to have a full complement of Tree Board members,' Kathol said. Beckman replaces Lee Lammers, who resigned last year. Esther Larsen also serves on the Tree Board.
Also Monday, the city renewed contracts with X-Pert Lawn and Landscaping to maintain the Hartington Community Complex grass for $10,200. The Council also agreed to renew a contract with Toby and Maverick Heine to maintain the grass at the city cemetery for $1,900 a month. Both contracts were renewed at the same cost as last year.
A sign permit for Hartington Tree was also approved, as was an LB840 draw down request from Hartington Economic Development to pay $2,650 to JEO Engineering for work at the new business park.
Colin Kathol told the council he and Park Board member Tracy Baller toured the parks to see what might need to be done this year. Kathol said a few small pieces of playground equipment are in need of replacement. The siding at the shelter house may also need to be replaced soon, he said.
