Couchman House Could Become New Conesville Town Hall

The historic town-owned Couchman House could become Conesville’s new Town Hall.

CONESVILLE — Conesville's Town Board is considering a proposal from a committee to make the town-owned historic Couchman House the new Town Hall.

The proposal distributed by Couchman House Committee member Mary Rouleau to town board members at the Tuesday, July 14 meeting reads as follows:

"Upon reviewing the pros and cons of several options the committee proposes that the Couchman House be renovated and repurposed as the Conesville Town Hall. It would contain the necessary offices, meeting space, and Town Court as well as provide archival space to the Conesville Historical Society.

"Additionally, the current Town Hall (a short way down Route 990V from the Couchman House) would be made available to the Conesville Historical Society to be their building in exchange for the financial investment the CHS had made in improvements to the Couchman House.

"Written and legally binding agreements will need to be worked out with the assistance of legal counsel. A major benefit of this arrangement would be to increase the ability of each organization to seek out funding opportunities independently, increasing the likelihood of success."

Some work has already been done at the house but quite a bit more would have to be done for it to be adequate to host its new proposed functions.

In other news from the July 14 meeting, Town Clerk Carrie Sutton said in her report that the Clerk's Office received a Notice of Application for a Liquor License for the property located at 1289 State Route 990V. The notice has been received and filed as required, Sutton added.

Town Supervisor Bill Federice said after the meeting that there is an empty house on the property and he didn't know the specific plans for the property and why a Liquor License has been applied for.

Sutton further reported that the Clerk's Office also assisted with a genealogical inquiry. While the requested records were not available through the Town Clerk's Office, the matter was referred to Town Historian Kim Young, who was able to successfully assist the individual with their research.

The Town Clerk's Office has transitioned to summer hours and is now open Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with additional appointments available by request.

Highway Superintendent Ward Apgar reported he and his crew have been cleaning ditches, regrading dirt roads, mowing and doing other work. The new Ford truck is off the assembly line and being shipped to the dealer, he said. Apgar added he will continue to look at options for the town to purchase a roller.

Federice, who is also Chairman of the Schoharie County Board of Supervisors, said he recently attended a groundbreaking for improvements at the New York Power Authority Visitor's Center on Route 30 in Blenheim.

"We're truly lucky to have the Power Authority here," Federice said. "It has helped our economy."

Some preliminary work on the 2027 town budget will soon be underway as department heads will be asked to submit what they need to accomplish their missions next year, Federice added. He further reported that the person who cleans Town Hall is not well and can't do it anymore, so somebody else has to be found for the job.

During Privilege of the Floor, town resident John Riedl said that the annual 5K to benefit the Conesville Historical Society will be held Nov. 28, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. He said a website where people interested in participating can register should be up and running next month. Anyone with questions can call Riedl at 607-588-7711.