TRUMBULL COUNTY Contracts are awarded for new police station

The new station will offer much improvement for Hubbard police.
By MONICA BOND
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
HUBBARD -- City council awarded contracts for building a new police station off School Street after years of problems with the old Liberty Street building.
"I'm almost as happy as when my wife told me she was pregnant," Mayor Arthur U. Magee said of getting out of the building constructed in 1870. "I'm tickled to death."
Council awarded four contracts Wednesday based on recommendations of architect Randall P. Baker of Baker, Bednar and Associates Inc.:
UGeneral construction, Aberdeen Corp. of Boardman, $949,720.
UHeating, ventilation and air conditioning, AA Samuels of Youngstown, $68,805.
UElectrical, University Electric of Youngstown, $262,395.
UPlumbing, Charniga Plumbing of Poland, $157,720.
Total cost will be $1,438,640.
The money comes from a 0.5-percent increase in city income tax approved by voters in November 2004, Magee said; the increase from 1 percent to 1.5 percent will generate about $950,000 annually.
"It's being funded by the people and city of Hubbard," he said.
Station plans
Magee said he expects to break ground soon.
"We'll be started in the next few weeks. We'll be going quick," he said.
The new building will be located a block away from the current facility.
"It should be completed sometime in March," the mayor said.
The project has been in the works for five years, and the city has faced numerous problems, Magee said.
"Everything that's bad we've had -- and our people have been doing a wonderful job working in conditions that aren't fit for ..." he said. "Especially the dispatchers, they've been wonderful."
The building will include a workout area for officers, locker rooms, large evidence rooms and a secured area to bring in prisoners.
"It's clean and new," Magee said. "It isn't a monument to anyone -- it's a modern, functional facility."
Mold found in the old building led to the wet basement being sealed and seven grievances by police officers, who claim health problems as a result.
The old building also has electrical problems; the jail lacked a fire alarm system and lighted exit signs.