By Shelby Stewart
Staff Writer
Brandon Twp.- On Monday night the township board of trustees approved the appointment of Supervisor Kathy Thurman, Clerk Candee Allen and

Trustee Bob Marshall to a subcommittee to research the possible purchase of Belle Ann elementary school.
The board has been discussing the purchase since October, and Belle Ann has been closed since 2013. If purchased, the building would be renovated to house the municipal offices, the parks and recreation department, the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office Brandon substation as well as OTV.
The subcommittee will be tasked with presenting to the board the cost associated with purchase and moving, costs of renovation and costs of maintaining the building, such as utility bills.
“I’d really like a detailed list of what is our cost now, what is the cost at Belle Ann, what is the difference of the projected yearly difference of utility cost at the school versus here?” asked Trustee Dana DePalma.
Allen, who has been gathering information about the possible purchase, cites some of the main reasons for moving is a board room that doesn’t accommodate large crowds of people, a less-than-ideal parking situation and a very small substation. The building itself would cost $500,000, not including renovations.
“I have my employees call me and say ‘I’m back from lunch and I can’t get in our parking lot,” said Allen.
Allen also states that residents have told her that they have already paid for the building, and they would not want that money to go to waste by selling to a different buyer.
“I’ve had people come in and tell me the opposite,” said treasurer Terri Darnall. “’We’ve already paid for it once, why do we have to pay for it again?’”
The subcommittee will come back to the board no later than the May 7 regular meeting with all of the requested information.