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Progress Is Year-Later Sign-off on
Completing $2.5 Million Courthouse
Renovation Amid Praise But With Contractor to Keep at Court Concern

By JIM BARBIERI
Just on the brink this spring of the long-long-delayed ceremonial completion of the $2.5 million Wells County Courthouse Renovation -- right when the commissioners, the project manager and the chief contractor were exchanging compliments and praise, a voice spoke up from the pews -- well, okay, from the spectator seats.
This was no minor matter, because it was Wells Circuit Court Judge David Hanselman speaking.
He had some lingering major concerns about the heating-cooling workings for his court and offices.
All this came against the backdrop of what was to have been a “one-year” project launched just about two years ago and cited as virtually or very nearly complete a full year ago.
The delay simply had been over the fact that some punch list items still needed to be handled, and project manager Larry Brown -- a member also of Wells County Council -- did not want to clear the path for acceptance until these were handled.
Brown felt the contractor, American Energy Conservation Inc. (AECI), was attending to them and would get there.
Despite the time stretch-out, Brown and the county commissioners felt they had accomplished a lot for the continuing life of the 112-year-old Courthouse family.
Brown felt AECI would be sticking with the project sufficiently to handle things that surface with use and are in warranty or in their domain to handle.
“I think it is appropriate now for the county to sign off on the project, summarized Brown amid the notations that retainage money could be released through this step.
County Custodian Bobbie Studebaker added that maintenance contracts would be in place in the coming weeks.
Commissioner president Randy Plummer spoke up then to express special thanks to Brown for his service to the county in guiding and overseeing the project -- a benefit to the commissioners and the public.
Commissioner Woodward chimed in quickly to concur and more good words were unfolding among the parties when Judge Hanselman spoke out to ask if there was still time for some input.
Assured quickly that no final votes had been taken, Judge Hanselman stated that he had made some notes. He affirmed first being a team player and “not here to suggest not signing off.”
His concern, however, was that if there would not be a continuing relationship with the contractor, what would be the outcome or the recourse over the the things still happening in the system and needing more attention?
Going through categories, he cited the electrical upgrade as great and the new windows also great except for some draft access.
The paint was just so-so with only the one coat.
But the big problem worries of the judge were over the air conditioning and heating system.
The humidity in the summer is too high and in the winter is too low, he told the county government officials and others.
Further needed, according to the judge, was word on whether adjustments could be made at thermostats and some training in how to do so; and help over the long time it takes for the system to respond when more heat or cooling is needed.
Judge Hanselman told of the custodian having to bring in a space heater during the winter -an action that really was counterproductive to the way a system should function.
While sticking with his recommendation for signing off on the project, Brown affirmed, with support of the AECI leader, that even after the sign-off “we’re still going to have some tweaking.”
Brown also told the judge that his room had been the most difficult for the system. Brought out through the Monday last-minute interjection was that AECI won’t be walking away -- that a 10-year relationship is assured by the warranties and by the system of paying over 10 years.
Judge Hanselman was appreciative of this and wanted it understood he was not the only one with problems. Cited were humidity troubles for the prosecutor’s office and probation office.
Notes were made accordingly, and all sounded closer to agreement amid the realization that the large majority of the project worked out well and AECI expected to get things right as they have shown up or show up.
“I still recommend the sign-off,’’ declared Brown, and the commissioners acted accordingly.