Bats force relocation of local village’s administrative offices

Arcanum — The Village of Arcanum will be relocating their operations building, which includes the Arcanum Police Department,  due to a bat problem in their current building.

Recently employees were complaining of a strong odor coming from the attic storage area of their current building on South Street. When health and safety crews investigated they found multiple live and dead bats in the area forcing the staff to move out of the building.

According to Village Administrator Bill Kessler the removal of the bats and sanitation of the building will cost about $250,000. Kessler also informed this process could take anywhere from six moths to a year.

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Mayor Judy Foureman says Arcanum has secured a new location for their employees to be housed where operations will continue as normal. However,  a two day moving process on November 6 and 7 will result in the offices being closed for those two days.

The temporary administrative office will be located at 1 Pop Rite Drive in Arcanum inside the All American Clothing Building.

Foureman stated that residents will still be able to contact Arcanum employees using the same phone numbers and email address. In addition drop boxes will be available at both locations.

WHIO’s Steve Baker will have more on this story starting at 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on NewsCenter 7.