MILTON — Township police Chief Charles Van Dyke addressed inadequate working conditions, including an evidence room that violates building codes, and issues with officer recruitment at a town hall meeting earlier this week at the fire station.

The town hall’s primary purpose was to get public input and inform residents about the need for a new administration building.

“We prioritize what we put money into. And I’m sorry to say this, but our building is not one of the priorities. When I got here, we had three or four (full-time) officers. And that was stretching the limits of the building then. In order to give round-the-clock protection, we’ve increased our staff, thanks to you all passing levies. We’ve been able to increase our staff and try to keep up with the demand for police officers. And we’re still short,” Van Dyke said.

“One of the things that attract officers to an area is equipment, the kind of conditions they’ll be working in. I’ve literally had applicants walk in for interviews and go ‘Thanks’ and walk out. Our facilities are outdated. We’re at the limit as far as serviceability.”

He said the department considers a new coat of paint as an upgrade to the police department

“We’ll make do with whatever we have, but there’s going to be a point in time that we’re going to be working out of trailers,” he said.

“Our evidence room doesn’t meet legal code. If we recover anything bigger than a folding chair, we can’t store it in a secure facility because we don’t have a secure facility to store it in.”

Zoning Inspector Michael Kurilla said he has worked for the township part time for the past decade and said that a new administration building would be a nice change from his current working conditions.

“A new administration building would be a most welcome improvement and enhance the existing work environment,” Kurilla said.

“Because of the limited space in the shed office, it presents many challenges to a normal office operation. Contractors and residents frequently comment about being surprised by the cramped quarters.”

Township officials applied for funding of the building, but were rejected for it last March. Trustee Wendy DiBernardi said trustees have no intention of seeking financial assistance from residents for the building’s construction.

“The trustees are moving forward to reapply for a grant next year through Congressional Directed Spending.

“We would not be able to move forward on such a large project without assistance. We are hopeful that our new administrative building/community center would be considered for funding in the future,” DiBernardi said.

“Our plan to cover the local match is not set in stone at this time. We have a variety of options that all include low interest or no interest loans to pay back our 20 to 30 percent match.

“We would not go to our voters for additional money in the form of levy or additional tax; we would pay back the loan over time.”

Brian Collier was one of the residents who attended the town hall, and he said he was interested in the administration building discussion.

“I would like to see it built considering the conditions here. I represent the bricklayers union in the area, and I would like to see local hires on the township building,” Collier said.

“I don’t want to see out-of-state contractors come in and build it, I want to see local people because it would benefit the local community, you know, in that respect too, but to benefit the police, the zoning, the administration.”

Collier added that anything that reinforces police presence is a good thing, because security draws people to an area.

Tausha Bacorn, Jackson-Milton Board of Education member, said she supported the police department building. She said the new building will allow police to do their part in stopping drugs, human trafficking and other things that may come through the community.

A tour of the township’s facilities took place following the meetings.