Oxford Village is moving its office, but the address will remain 22 W. Burdick St. That’s because it’s being relocated to another space within the same building.

During a special 7 a.m. meeting on April 16, council voted 4-0 to move the manager, clerk/treasurer and other staff members into the vacant space previously occupied by the township parks and recreation department from 2002-17.

“I think it’s a great idea and (the space) looks more professional,” said village President Joe Frost, who made the motion.

Manager Joseph Madore told this reporter the move will occur “hopefully, by the first week in May.” He said the plan is to do it on a Friday, when the office is normally closed, so as to “minimize the impact (on) the public,” which typically stops in to pay bills, pull permits or obtain information.

“It should go relatively smoothly,” he said.

According to Madore, the new space is “a little bit bigger” with “a little better layout,” so it should offer staff members “a little more elbow room.

The village office is currently housed in the front portion of the building’s west wing. After the move, it will be located in the center of the building between the offices for the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) and the Oxford Chamber of Commerce.

Madore believes “it will be good” to have the three offices “all in one location” to help make visits quicker and less confusing for the public.

“It just makes sense,” he said. “A lot of people come in that (automatic) back door by the chamber (office) and wander through the building (before they) pop up in front and get to us.”

Madore noted the village is already paying to heat and cool that entire area because of the chamber and DDA offices, so “it won’t make any difference to have us over there.”

As part of the approved motion, council authorized the police department to begin utilizing the current village office space once it has been vacated.

“I’d like to see something happen with the old village office if we’re going to move over here,” said Councilwoman Maureen Helmuth.

“We could definitely use it,” said Police Chief Mike Solwold.

Solwold told council the police department needs additional space because its booking room is “cramped.”

“When you’re processing a prisoner, you are right up on top of them,” he said.

More space is also needed to conduct department meetings, Solwold added.

The chief noted that whenever members of the Michigan State Police visit the station to test the agency’s breathalyzers, they make comments like, “I can’t believe you guys have to work in this kind of space.”

Solwold believes it’s better for his department to put the current village office space to use than have it “sitting there and rotting” like the old township office, which forms the building’s east wing.

That space has been sitting empty since 2006 when the township moved into the new building it constructed at 300 Dunlap Rd., just north of Seymour Lake Rd.

As a “caveat” to his motion, Frost said he wants the village to formulate a plan to renovate and lease the old township space.