LEGISLATURE STUFF - Perfect Time for Pilings

CATSKILL - Not this summer but next, there is very likely to be a new Justice Center wing on the Greene County courthouse as crews are wasting no time setting the groundwork.

 Greene County Legislature members, along with project engineers and architects, held their initial Construction Team meeting, last week.

Future sitdowns will be held regularly, similar to what was done four years ago when a new county jail and sheriff’s headquarters were created.

Those gatherings will take place at the Carriage House, an historic building adjacent to the courthouse, preserved when the old jail was torn down.

A not-deeply-frozen winter is allowing pilings to be dug for what will be a 3-story structure including two floors for personnel from the county's District Attorney and Public Defender departments, each needing more room.

There will also be lower level, court-personnel parking, an aerial walkway between the old and new facilities and space for the NY State Office of Court Administration, helping pay for some of the $28.8 million job.

Lawmakers, last November, accepted four separate construction bids and approved up to $25 million in serial bonds to finance the effort.

That bottom line turned out to be an illusion, increasing a month later when officials were told an additional $3.8 million would be needed to cover the cost of bolstering the foundation, situated at the base of a steep hill.

County administrator Shaun Groden emphasized no extra borrowing would be required to make up the difference, instead tapping Reserve Funds.

But it was more money no matter how it was being divvied up. A handful of lawmakers were displeased the issue surrounding the 38-foot dropoff had not been recognized prior to putting the project out to bid.

Questions were asked and there was some talk of stalling or maybe killing the project, leading to a special executive session where heated verbal exchanges were made between lawmakers and other county officials.

Controversy had also emerged over the bids being placed on the agenda for possible passage at a Public Safety committee meeting, then being summarily withdrawn by committee chairperson Thomas Hobart.

The withdrawals were later ruled to have been done without adhering to due process, bypassing other Public Safety committee members.

They were put back on the agenda and the four construction bids were accepted by a 9 to 5 vote, although the political dust has not settled.

A different sort of dust is in the air behind the courthouse, located on Main Street in Catskill, where another matter has already surfaced.

The more accurate term might be unearthed. While engineers were aware of the presence of old sewer and stormwater pipes, they proved to be elusively buried and enlarged.

“We always knew the lines would have to be moved,” county administrator Shaun Groden said in a phone interview, noting they are currently combined, servicing the village of Catskill.

“What we didn’t know is they were deeper and bigger than we thought. We through they were 12-inch pipe. They are 24-inch. The reality is there is little to no paperwork after one-hundred years and more.

“There are no as-builts around for a system built in the 1800-somethings. It won’t be a problem but there were a lot of discussions today [at the construction meeting] about angles and pitches and whatnot.

“We also talked about parking,” Groden said, explaining that available public parking in a lot across Main Street from the courthouse will be greatly reduced, changing over to a construction staging area.

“It’s something we knew would have to happen. At the end of the day this is a construction zone now,” Groden said, noting the county’s Construction Team/Task Force will huddle every two weeks.

“We’re happy winter is over with its delays and happy to get going. By next winter, we expect to be totally inside, not having to worry about temporary heat to continue the work,” Groden said.

The present plans call for laying sidewalks and blacktop in June of 2025, according to legislature chairman Patrick Linger, who had a piece of welcome dollars and cents information.

Negotiations with the Office of Court Administration have resulted in the State “changing they way they are financing their part,” Linger said.

The county had asked for a significant increase in the State’s annual lease payments, coming away with less but ending up with more.

“They initially agreed to a higher dollar amount for rent but then said they didn’t want to be locked in for that amount,” Linger said.

Instead, the State will pay $5 million up front with a $140,000 yearly lease, reaping $9.5 million over the life of the county’s 30-year payback period.

“In the long run, we end up with more money than if we had stuck with the higher rent total and the $5 million is that much less we have to bond,” Linger said, noting the overall debt won’t add pain to taxpayers.

County officials say the fresh debt merely replaces an already existing loan that is expiring. While it is still money going out, the impact will not be felt directly within upcoming budget cycles.