NORWICH – Mayor Joe Maiurano and various city officials, as part of a special committee focused on the renovation or relocation of City Hall, have announced a public forum tentatively scheduled for June 1 following the Finance/Personnel Meeting at One Court Plaza.
The committee is considering several options for the project, which has been an on-again, off-again issue since 2004, including improvements and renovations to the current building versus its relocation to the third, and a portion of the first, floors of the adjacent city firehouse.
“We’ve got to decide exactly what’s in the best interest for the community and what’s responsible,” said Maiurano. “It’s time to look at what we can afford while maintaining the integrity of the city.”
According to City Clerk and Director of Finance William Roberts, either option would have a minimal, if any, impact on the tax levy, as funds have already been set aside as part of the city’s Building-Capital Projects and Capital Reserves, which combined equal approximately $400,000.
Costs for the renovation of the current City Hall and its dilapidated roof, estimated at $400,000, would require roughly five months to complete, while a move to the nearby firehouse would carry a projected $436,000 price tag and seven month timeline, according to an April 27 Delaware Engineering proposal.
The Oneonta-based engineering firm has been involved with the project since its inception.
At issue for city residents is the accessibility of a City Hall located on the third floor versus the convenience of the current set-up, in addition to the fate of the old train depot, home to City Hall for nearly 14 years.
First Ward Alderman Robert Carey stated that while the “state of New York has promoted consolidation,” and that “financially it is definitely better to move,” the council and mayor are “sensitive to the fact that people enjoy the first floor.”
“We’re trying to be sensitive to both the community and the financial situation,” he added.
If a decision is reached to relocate City Hall, the current locale would be sold or possibly leased, according to city officials.
“Our primary objective is to have the most cost effective combination of facilities to avoid having more than we need to operate effectively,” said Roberts. “We’re just trying to balance economy with efficient customer service.”
Roberts indicated that a move to the first and third floors of the firehouse would save the city between $8,000 and $10,000 in annual costs, although he admitted this was a “crude estimate.”
“We’re looking to preserve the historical quality of the train depot and consolidate our offices,” stated Maiurano. “We’ve tried to take properties, recondition them, and get them back on the tax rolls to help city taxpayers.”
“If we can’t preserve this building in its historical significance to the community, then we’ll stay right here,” said the mayor.