NORWICH - County leaders opted to pay the lowest of four architectural firm bids received in order to get guidance on what to do with the old jail on West Park Place.

Ithaca-based John Snyder Architects’ bid of $7,475 was more than four times lower than the highest bid received. The average bid was about $27,500. After reviewing all the specifications, Agriculture, Buildings and Grounds Chairman Robert D. Briggs said he found no difference in the scope of work proposed by the lowest bidder despite the large cost discrepancy.

The architectural firm will complete four design concepts for the facility and provide cost estimates for two of them. Town of Preston Supervisor Peter C. Flanagan questioned whether the committee should decide what designs they want to pursue first, whether for office space, storage, etc.

“Is this going to give us what we want?” he asked.

Town of Oxford Supervisor Lawrence Wilcox said more specific design requests could be made if the committee were insistent about re-using the facility. So far, no decision has been made to reuse or to sell the 103-year old structure.

Various committee members discussed the building’s soundness and overall aesthetic significance because of its location adjacent to the historic Chenango County Courthouse.