By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Park officials don’t want to rewrite history, just the bid requirements for moving a piece of it in Wood County.
The Wood County Park District Board voted Monday to re-advertise for bids to move the historic one-room Zimmerman School down the road a spell to the historic Carter Farm.
The action was necessary because the last job description did not require a bid bond.
The board discussed the costs involved with moving the structure or leaving it at its existing location on Carter Road, north of Bowling Green. The last bids came in at $105,545 for moving the school, putting in a foundation, relocating the restrooms, running electric and propane, and then demolishing the old foundation.
The other option of not moving the school came in at $122,485. That cost would cover adding a bus turnaround and parking area, installing a wider culvert, replacing the foundation, relocating the propane tank, moving the restroom, constructing a sidewalk and electrical work.
By moving the school, the district officials hope to save money and make the historic farm and one-room school a more all-inclusive learning experience for visiting families and school children.
Also at the meeting, the board voted to accept tasers for park rangers at no cost for park district. The tasers were offered by Bradner Police Department, which had received more than needed from Miamisburg’s police department.
Munger explained that the tasers would give the rangers another option in their “use of force continuum.” The rangers carry batons, but those instruments are more likely to cause physical damage than tasers, Munger said. The tasers can be used to immobilize someone with no lasting injury, he said.
Board approval for the tasers was not unanimous, with board member John Calderonello objecting. He asked for information on how often the district’s park rangers have to resort to force. No information on that frequency was available at the meeting, but Munger said he would try to track down the data.
In other business, the park district board:
- Approved contracting with K&K Construction, Weston, for $6,470, to put a concrete floor in the Beaver Creek Retreat Center. The previous floor was ruined by flooding.
- Agreed to have a new well put in at the interpretive center at the Bradner Preserve. The current well is running dry, and will cost $5,589 to replace.
- Voiced support for an effort by the Friends of the Parks to put in a brick memorial trail at the W.W. Knight Preserve. The group was asked to come back with more details so the board could determine how best to help.
- Learned the park district had received a $21,200 grant to purchase 12 kayaks and related equipment. The kayaks will be for the public to use on park ponds and the Maumee River.
- Heard a report on the work of the park rangers, who cover the district 365 days a year.
