High bid for new Town Hall work prompts review

NORTH EAST — A single bid was received for the remodeling of the former Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses building on Route 22 that is planned to serve as the new Town Hall.

Barone Construction Group Group of Highland submitted a bid of $940,000, according to Town Supervisor Chris Kennan after the bid was opened on Thursday, May 16.

“The bid was wildly in excess of what we expect to spend,” Kennan said.

A set of preliminary plans with a scope of work put estimated to cost of remodeling and reconstruction at approximately $390,000. The town plans to pay for the work with budgeted and surplus funds and also plans for reimbursement from a New York State Local Community Assistance Program Grant.

Kennan said with the single bid beyond expectations, the Board will go back and again look at the plans.

The town purchased the Route 22 property last July as a future location for town offices to replace the two-story building on North Maple Avenue that no longer meets the needs of the community.