Centerville employees move into renovated former bank

A move that’s been more than three years in the making is complete.  

Centerville’s municipal building closed Wednesday, July 31, through Friday, Aug. 2, for its employees to move their offices into the former US Bank branch.

The renovated office at 220 E. Main St. was to open Monday, Aug. 5, to the public for utility payments and other transactions. 

Council meetings have been taking place there for several weeks. One of the final projects was switching internet and phones to the new location.   

Council President Dan Wandersee said town officials pursued the purchase for more than three years because the aging, cramped town hall needed costly repairs and no space would be gained after that investment.

Once parts arrive to fix the drive-thru behind the building, residents can pay utility bills from vehicles. No date has been announced. Wandersee is pleased to offer that convenience, especially to those with disabilities.

An open house and ribbon-cutting will be scheduled. 

In other business

At its July 30 meeting, Centerville council: 

• Voted to approve the donation and installation of a pergola to provide shade and a resting area near the walkway of bricks honoring veterans at Maplewood Park. Centerville Loves Our Veterans (C-LOV) is covering costs. Personalized bricks can be ordered for $50 at Archway Days or by visiting the municipal building. 
• Announced a public hearing at 7 p.m. Aug. 13 will precede council’s monthly meeting. Centerville’s pursuing a grant to update its comprehensive plan and welcomes community comments.
• Heard Police Chief Ed Buchholz positively describe active shooter training at Centerville Senior High School. Indiana State Police conducted what Buchholz called necessary training for area departments. 
• Received Buchholz’ 2025 budget request to prioritize replacing the badly leaking roof on CPD’s generator building and its 2011 Tahoe because costly repairs are arising. 
• Learned the town’s 2024 paving has been completed on sections of Mattie Harris Road and Willow Drive. Town Manager Kevin Slick has applied for the next round of Indiana’s Community Crossings matching grant. 
• Learned the town’s east water tower has been filled after maintenance and it will be turned on after final tests are completed. Water main project work also has begun. Council approved spending up to $8,500 on a water audit that the government requires every other year. 
• Approved a request from Centerville Fire/Rescue to add former Richmond Fire Department Chief Tim Brown, now retired, as a reserve volunteer. 
• Learned the town’s electrical utility bucket truck has been paid off and Slick will start looking for a replacement, and that Slick received a request for more information from U.S. Department of Energy regarding the town’s funding request for electrical upgrades. He’s pleased Centerville is still a candidate.  
• Complimented town employees for their work that prevented power outages during the July 29 storm. Wandersee recalled electricity previously going out “when the wind blew.” “Preventive maintenance we’re doing is paying off for us,” he said.