New Elevator Passes Inspection at Julian Town Hall
By Regina Elling

Thanks to the new elevator, Arlene Howe can get to the top floor of Julian's Town Hall without assistance. Photos by Regina Elling

It was a happy day at the Julian Town Hall when the newly installed elevator passed its final county inspection.

Julian resident and Chamber of Commerce Board member Arlene Howe happily gave a "thumbs up" to the new elevator.

"It's really wonderful to finally have this project complete," she says. "And look at me - I'm at the top of the stairs at Town Hall, and I got here without any help!"

Prior to the elevator installation, Howe, who uses a wheelchair, had to be assisted to the top of the seven stairs one must climb if entering the top floor of Town Hall.

"While we are technically done, we still have a few small items to finish," she says. "We still need to install some kick plates so that wheelchairs don't dent the new door. We have a hands-free phone coming to replace the present phone. And we need to place a button out in front of the building, similar to the one installed at Miner's Diner, so that handicapped persons can request assistance from someone inside the building."

Assistance sign - this one is located across the street from Town Hall, at Miner's Diner.

Elevator consultant Lee Stucky, also a Julian resident, worked on the project nearly daily so that it would both be done correctly and completed on time.

"I volunteered to help with this project, partly because I had the time, and partly because I needed to keep busy," says Stucky. In his seventies, he says the project "was a labor of love."

"After being in the elevator business for more than 40 years, and since the passing of my wife, I really miss my work," he says. Stucky's wife was the third generation of her family to be involved in the elevator business, and their son is still in it.

"The time spent on the project went by very fast," he says. "I am most pleased with how the job was done - the elevator looks nice, operates well and is very quiet."

Krisie Morgan, office manager at Julian Town Hall, has also learned how to manually operate the elevator.

He adds, "The construction really ended up being better than many elevators being built now. It's great for anyone that can't use the stairs."

The Town Hall staff has been trained on how to work the elevator.

"We've also trained two paramedics on how to complete an emergency release, in case someone becomes stuck inside," says Howe.

Krisie Morgan, office manager at Julian Town Hall, says, "The elevator really looks great. And so far, since a few of the kinks have been worked out, it works great, too."

Presently, only those with a key can work the elevator. It is primarily to be used by handicapped or physically disabled persons.

But even with the completion of the elevator, Howe is not finished with her work in helping to make Julian more handicapped-accessible.

"The elevator is really a benefit to Town Hall," she says. "I'm sure more physically disabled people will enjoy what Town Hall has to offer, now that the elevator is installed and operating."