In an effort to create a central location for the village barn, Barryton town officials are slated to meet
with the Mecosta County Board of Commissioners in two weeks.

The public hearing is scheduled for August 4. The main goal: add under 80 acres to help move the village barn into a more ideal location.

“The village would like to be able to have a central location for the village barn within the central part of the village,” Barryton President James Soriano said. “Right now, it's outside the village so our guys have to travel a couple of miles out of town.”

With the addition of the land, the village would be able to sell the current barn in the “green zone” and use that money to build a new building in the center of the village. If the annexation proposal is
accepted, the village council can then approve sealed bidding on the property.

“That’s going to be a process,” Soriano said. “I think we should do a 60 or 90-day bidding process to
allow more bids to come in for the piece of property.”

Having a centrally located barn will allow the village to spend less money and time getting equipment. It will also allow the property to be put on the tax role for the village and the township. This can allow the village to pursue a revenue generating business, like a marijuana company, with an increase in licensing fees.

“Potentially, we’d be getting another growth facility that would get top dollar value,” Soriano said.
“(This) will enable us to take care of some projects like having an engineer coming out for an inspection on our dam for repairs and incorporating a fish ladder.”