The Weston Board of Aldermen heard a proposal by Chad Stock, a local business man, to create a new development at the corner of Main and Market Streets.
The development could possibly include an open area and space for a new city hall and police station. The proposal also could include a space for the Weston Chamber of Commerce.
The estimated cost for the project by Stock is around $1.5 million.
“I wanted to present the idea tonight and ask whether the city would be interested in putting the proposal out to bid for a municipal complex,” said Stock.
“I think it would be a lot better than looking at the old trailer houses,” said Cliff Harvey, alderman. “I don’t know how we’d get funding though, it might be something we can look at for next year’s budget.”
Stock said he would like to know from the city in 60 to 90 days whether they are interested in the idea. He also said the project would take around 18 months to construct depending on the weather.
“We need to find out what the people of Weston think,” said Cindy Seward, mayor.
“I agree 100 percent,” said Greg Hoffman, alderman. “I think there are elements that we could make a strong argument for it, we have stuff spread all over the place now. Ultimately, if we can get a consensus from the town then it will make our decision easier.”
The board will decide at a later meeting whether to move forward with the proposal.
The board also voted to accept the gift of a caboose from the Ray Kirk family. The caboose will be moved to a location near the city hall from St. Joseph by July. The family has taken care of all of the costs and there will be no cost to the city.
The local Boy Scout Troop in Weston has volunteered to help maintain and clean up the caboose. The caboose could serve as either a museum, office, or visitor center.
The caboose will also be painted green and include Burlington Northern logos on the sides.
The board also opened bids for reroofing the city’s building at 526 Main Street. The price to fix the roof was bid at $17,800. The city had budgeted $10,000 for 2008 for the work.
The board approved the expense of a total of $62,829 for the chipping and sealing of a number of streets in Weston.
In another matter of significance, the board approved an ordinance calling for a special bond election to be held on Tuesday, August 5.
The special election will allow the city to include a bond proposal on the ballot to issue $3.2 million in bonds for improving Weston’s water and sewer systems.
The bonds will be used to expand the city’s sewer and water system.
According to the ordinance, the city will use the revenues from the operation of the systems to pay the bonds.
The board will hold a special meeting on Monday, May 19 at 6:30 to discuss the extent of the water and sewer improvements and possible additional ways of funding the bond issue.