NORWICH — County officials recently voted to approve a State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) study for the new county building project, a required step before the county can secure financing or seek construction bids.

The project involves demolishing a 1960s-era wing of the existing facility due to the presence of asbestos and other hazardous materials typical of mid-century modern commercial construction.

The vote faced opposition from two supervisors: Smyrna Supervisor Michael Khoury and Norwich Wards 4, 5 and 6 Supervisor Robert Jeffrey. Both questioned the necessity, timeline and added costs of the review.

Khoury voiced concerns that the move signals an inevitable final outcome, arguing it conditions taxpayers to accept the new building as a foregone conclusion for decisions impacting the next 30 to 40 years.

“I understand you have to do a SEQRA, but this just reframes our brain that this is going to be an inevitable vote and you’re going to see to it as we’re being conditioned to imagining this building is going to be a reality,” Khoury said.

He also questioned the necessity of demolition, noting that other government buildings in New York often find workarounds for code or ADA compliance issues rather than tearing down structures.

Khoury specifically asked about the definition and cost of a Type I SEQRA action.

Chenango County Attorney Zachary Wentworth explained that a Type I action requires a full environmental assessment.

According to Wentworth, the review evaluates broader community impacts, such as effects on historic districts and local neighborhoods, rather than just general environmental factors.

“There are a lot of other pieces that go into it besides just the general aspects and that is why HUNT Engineers is going to help through the process,” Wentworth said.

He estimated the cost of the study at around $10,000, noting it was built into the original contract with HUNT Engineers, Architects and Surveyors.

Jeffrey raised questions regarding the project's timeline and whether the state would require prior approval before the county moves forward with subsequent decisions.

Wentworth clarified that the resolution establishes the county as the lead agency in a coordinated review, which requires notifying other involved agencies within a 30-day window. He added that the resolution does not green-light further construction actions and that the final assessment should be complete by November or December.