Anyone who attended the public meeting held at the Ehman-cum-Angel Center on Saturday would agree the first thing that needs to be done at the old schoolhouse is to get the heat fixed.
This includes new owner Deborah Moceri, whose warm welcome and enthusiasm wasn’t quite enough to do the trick in the school’s chilly gymnasium where a bundled-up crowd of about 50 gathered to make suggestions concerning the building’s future use.
After assuring the crowd that the boiler would soon be fixed, Moceri asked the group, which consisted of residents, community members and various non-profit groups, what should be done with the 25-room schoolhouse built in 1927.
Village Councilman Ken Van Portfliet said he’d like to see some of the ideas already bandied about–using the space for art classes and children’s programs–come to fruition.
‘I do not want to see this building torn down,? he said.
Van Portfliet went on to say that, despite zoning issues, the council will try hard to enable Moceri’s dreams for the building to come true.
‘I think you’ll be greeted with flexibility,? Van Portfliet said.
Among the many hurdles Moceri and her builder husband Jerry face is that the center is currently zoned residential.
According to Village Manager Paul Zelenak, something needs to happen with the zoning before many of the groups who came pitching their services could operate out of the building.
Moceri told the crowd she is getting ready to submit the necessary paper work to the village, and Jerry Moceri urged the crowd to attend future meetings to support them.
‘They have been very welcoming,? Deborah Moceri said about the village government, adding she said she hopes to get through the process in about four months.
Moceri, a psychologist, said she wants to run a therapy clinic out of the building.
Moceri stressed that she wants to help kids most of all. Noted psychotherapist and author James Windell was also on hand to lend Moceri support.
A home school group, substance abuse therapists, church groups, art boosters and current occupants Remnant and Love Inc. were also there seeking the possibility of keeping or finding space for their endeavors in the building.
Moceri said nearly all would have a chance.
‘I’d like to provide all these kinds of services under one roof,? she said.