Bedford OKs next-to-last library payment

10/6/2004

TEMPERANCE - Bedford Township approved its second-to-last construction payment on the township's new $4.3 million library last night, but officials said it would be the last payment made until the building is completed.

The township board unanimously approved the $366,371.51 payment to J.L. Judge Construction Services of Detroit, the project's general contractor, on the $3.1 million construction project, leaving less than $250,000 in work remaining to finish the 30,000-square-foot branch library.

Township Supervisor LaMar Frederick said workers are installing carpeting this week and doing some finish carpentry work. Furniture and fixtures also are being installed.

The township plans to have a grand opening around Nov. 14, Mr. Frederick said.

Board members said the final payment won't be made until after the building was finished to their satisfaction. Now in its 13th month, the township has approved about $150,000 worth of change orders for the library, which still remains well under its original $3.3 million budget.

In other action, township Clerk Bob Schockman said his office has received more than 2,600 absentee ballot requests for the Nov. 2 election. That is a township record, Mr. Schockman said, and voters have until election day to request an absentee ballot. The township has about 22,000 registered voters.