The Owensville Board of Aldermen approved a request by Owensville Fire Protection District (OFPD) Chief Jeff Arnold on Monday for upgrades to the leased Fire Station No. 1 building.

“Per our lease agreement any modifications to the existing buildings need to be approved by you guys,” Arnold said. “We would like to make some changes to the existing upstairs area.”

Included in the submitted design were creating storage by adding walls where the roof slopes along with security doors and a bathroom over the existing bathroom with much of the work being done “in-house,” except for plumbing. The nearly $10,000 cost of the project will be covered by OFPD.

Arnold outlined costs at $4,000 for building modifications and materials, $4,954.01 for plumbing work by Nick Nolting of 3T Plumbing LLC of Rosebud and the cost of the building permit.

Included in the bid for plumbing was the addition of a full bathroom with water closet, vanity and 36x60 fiberglass remodel shower unit.

Cost of in-house building modifications are expected to include three doors at $600, insulation at $500, 2x4s at $600, sheetrock at $800, electrical at $300, baseboard heater at $100, thermostat at $100 and other miscellaneous items including flooring, screws, tape, paint and door locks totaling $1,000. The motion to approve the updates to the leased building was made by Ward 1 Alderman Denise Bohl, seconded by Board President and Ward 1 Alderman Dr. Cathy Lahmeyer and passed with all in favor.