Oxford’s newest homeowner moved in last week.
Long counters, plenty of storage, a spacious lobby ? the township government’s new $1.9 million office building at 300 Dunlap Road is now occupied and serving the public.
‘I think we’ve got a township hall that’s functional, not grandiose,? said Supervisor Bill Dunn. ‘I know our employees are happy with it and I hope the citizenry is too.?
The 7,000-square-foot main floor has offices for the clerk, treasurer, supervisor, cubicles for their respective staffs in a large, open area, offices devoted to the building department, lunch room, conference room and work space for the four township trustees.
‘We have tons of room now,? said receptionist Rebecca Rendon, comparing the new hall to the old 2,200-square-foot facility at 18 W. Burdick St. ‘It’s beautiful.?
‘It’s a much more professional atmosphere,? said Barb Walkus, coordinator for the planning commission and Zoning Board of Appeals. ‘It’s all open. Everyone has their own large work area. It’s very quiet and calm in here.?
‘The working conditions are perfect. I am a happy camper,? Walkus added.
Probably one of the happiest employees there is Lori Exel, a part-time employee in the clerk’s department who prepares the absentee ballots and serves as the township board’s recording secretary.
Exel’s desk at the old township hall was literally inside a closet that was converted into office space.
‘It was dark,? she said.
Her new cubicle is much larger with plenty of natural light streaming through the windows into her work space.
‘It’s very bright and cheery. It beats being in the closet,? Exel said. ‘I feel I’ll be much more productive especially on sunny days.?
To better serve the public, there are three long, separate counter spaces for the clerk, treasurer and building departments, all of which border a large, bright lobby area complete with a table and chairs for citizens who wish to view everything from plans to records.
‘It’s much more spacious for the public,? Rendon said. ‘There’s tons more counter space. I think it’s very user-friendly for residents.?
‘We’re much more accessible to the public,? Exel noted.
Outside the new hall, the wooded setting of the nearly 28-acre site hasn’t gone unnoticed by township employees.
‘We’re surrounded by trees so we can see the changing of the seasons,? Walkus said. ‘It’s very smoothing to come in here and look down at the trees. We can see deer in the morning.?
‘The site is gorgeous,? she noted.