Officials debate office space for new judge
NORWICH -– Government officials would be more than happy to bite the bullet on $1 million in exterior renovations at the former Chenango County Sheriff’s Office if they knew another entity would pick up the interior’s cost.
Such a plan could come to fruition if the New York State Supreme Court’s pockets are deep enough. Unfortunately - and despite direct questioning - members of the Chenango County Agriculture, Buildings & Grounds Committee were unable to determine that during a meeting with Sixth District Administrative Judge Executive Assistant G. Russell Oechsle.
Oechsle met with the committee Nov. 21 to begin the process of identifying between approximately 700 square feet of chamber space for newly elected Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Garry. Even though Garry’s district duties encompass 10 New York State counties - and much of her first year will be spent judging out-of-county cases - Chenango County is obligated by law to provide her with office space because she is a resident of New Berlin.
The judge’s chambers must entail three separate office spaces and a private bathroom. It is also required to be as close as possible to the county’s courthouse as well as include a parking space.
Oechsle said renovations of any potential space would be 100 percent reimbursable (except for heating and air conditioning) as long as the courts previously approve of the location. Despite two direct questions from Supervisor Dennis Brown, D-Pharsalia, however, the executive assistant wouldn’t put a limit on the amount.
“They never say how much they got,” Brown said after the brief meeting.
“Sounds like a bottomless pit to me,” Linda E. Natoli, R-City of Norwich, said.
“Let’s do the outside and get him to sign a contract before we put money into the inside,” Brown said.
Brown was referring to options for renovating the former Sheriff’s Office and Jail that were provided by an architectural firm earlier this fall. A $2.4 million plan would separate the two buildings and demolish the cells. The amount includes $1 million for refurbishing the Sheriff’s Office’s exterior.
The Department of Social Services is paying to refurbish two floors at the 104-year-old adjoining jail. Between 10 to 12 county employees who make up the Chenango Family Resource Center are scheduled to occupy that space within weeks.
Heating and cooling systems for both buildings remains a concern, however. DSS has purchased three portable, residential heating units for its portion of the building. To temporarily heat the other side, town supervisors last month authorized the acquisition of a $28,000 boiler. The county’s 911 Emergency Communications center will operate from the old jail through 2007 and must be kept from freezing. Buildings & Grounds Superintendent Scott Vindt told the committee last week that, upon closer inspection, only a part for the boiler was needed to keep the old unit operational for the time-being.
Space in the countyseat has traditionally been at a premium for the courts. They currently occupy 5,600 square feet in the County Office Building but would require a minimum of approximately 8,000 if facility standards were utilized. In 2004, the New York State Office of Court Administration offered lawmakers an option to spend $40,000 on a consultant to determine whether the buildings on Court Street could be renovated for use by the county’s courts. Local officials declined the offer, and later paid $7,400 for the current architects.
Oechsle said Judge Gerry will utilize temporary chambers in Oneonta and Binghamton until mid-February. “We need to quickly identify as many alternatives as possible here,” he said.
Committee Chairman Robert Briggs directed Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard B. Decker to develop a list of possible rentals. “It’s going to take some time to get something else ready,” he said.
“The county is under the gun to find space for a second county judgeship anyway,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time.”
“This county needs a second judgeship as desperately as any county I’ve ever seen in the 27 years I’ve been working,” Oechsle said.
Oechsle said the courts could rent space for the short or long term.
“If we can pin him down and they are and would be able to pay... . Let’s let them have a say on how they want the new space,” Lawrence N. Wilcox, R-Oxford, said.
Such a plan could come to fruition if the New York State Supreme Court’s pockets are deep enough. Unfortunately - and despite direct questioning - members of the Chenango County Agriculture, Buildings & Grounds Committee were unable to determine that during a meeting with Sixth District Administrative Judge Executive Assistant G. Russell Oechsle.
Oechsle met with the committee Nov. 21 to begin the process of identifying between approximately 700 square feet of chamber space for newly elected Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Garry. Even though Garry’s district duties encompass 10 New York State counties - and much of her first year will be spent judging out-of-county cases - Chenango County is obligated by law to provide her with office space because she is a resident of New Berlin.
The judge’s chambers must entail three separate office spaces and a private bathroom. It is also required to be as close as possible to the county’s courthouse as well as include a parking space.
Oechsle said renovations of any potential space would be 100 percent reimbursable (except for heating and air conditioning) as long as the courts previously approve of the location. Despite two direct questions from Supervisor Dennis Brown, D-Pharsalia, however, the executive assistant wouldn’t put a limit on the amount.
“They never say how much they got,” Brown said after the brief meeting.
“Sounds like a bottomless pit to me,” Linda E. Natoli, R-City of Norwich, said.
“Let’s do the outside and get him to sign a contract before we put money into the inside,” Brown said.
Brown was referring to options for renovating the former Sheriff’s Office and Jail that were provided by an architectural firm earlier this fall. A $2.4 million plan would separate the two buildings and demolish the cells. The amount includes $1 million for refurbishing the Sheriff’s Office’s exterior.
The Department of Social Services is paying to refurbish two floors at the 104-year-old adjoining jail. Between 10 to 12 county employees who make up the Chenango Family Resource Center are scheduled to occupy that space within weeks.
Heating and cooling systems for both buildings remains a concern, however. DSS has purchased three portable, residential heating units for its portion of the building. To temporarily heat the other side, town supervisors last month authorized the acquisition of a $28,000 boiler. The county’s 911 Emergency Communications center will operate from the old jail through 2007 and must be kept from freezing. Buildings & Grounds Superintendent Scott Vindt told the committee last week that, upon closer inspection, only a part for the boiler was needed to keep the old unit operational for the time-being.
Space in the countyseat has traditionally been at a premium for the courts. They currently occupy 5,600 square feet in the County Office Building but would require a minimum of approximately 8,000 if facility standards were utilized. In 2004, the New York State Office of Court Administration offered lawmakers an option to spend $40,000 on a consultant to determine whether the buildings on Court Street could be renovated for use by the county’s courts. Local officials declined the offer, and later paid $7,400 for the current architects.
Oechsle said Judge Gerry will utilize temporary chambers in Oneonta and Binghamton until mid-February. “We need to quickly identify as many alternatives as possible here,” he said.
Committee Chairman Robert Briggs directed Board of Supervisors Chairman Richard B. Decker to develop a list of possible rentals. “It’s going to take some time to get something else ready,” he said.
“The county is under the gun to find space for a second county judgeship anyway,” he said. “It’s just a matter of time.”
“This county needs a second judgeship as desperately as any county I’ve ever seen in the 27 years I’ve been working,” Oechsle said.
Oechsle said the courts could rent space for the short or long term.
“If we can pin him down and they are and would be able to pay... . Let’s let them have a say on how they want the new space,” Lawrence N. Wilcox, R-Oxford, said.
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