This week's Dryden Courier features an article on prospects for a new Town Hall, a project that's been in the works for a while but which was deferred to executive session at the May Town Board meeting. It seems there's a problem: the recent annexation of a parcel to the Village has increased the price of land in that parcel from $38,000/acre to $65,000/acre - and the Town had been hoping to build its new Town Hall there. Other possible buyers are now waiting for the town to make an offer, if it decides to do so.
The town has eliminated the Boy Scouts building on Route 13 (until recently the Dryden School District offices), the Prudential Insurance building on Routes 13 and 366, the old Boxcar restaurant, and the former West Dryden Community Center, now owned by Hobasco Masonic Lodge.
The town is considering the Aramark building (formerly Fine Host), along Route 13, though that has some problems, most notably no public water. Councilman Steve Stelick notes that municipal buildings are required to have sprinkler systems, which could mean large insulated tanks if public water is not available.
(I wonder if the town might consider the old State Police building or the current location of F & T Distributing, which they're leaving to move to Royal Road. Both have water and sewer available.)
The Courier also takes a look at Freeville Girl Scout Troop 864's "Cell Phones for Soldiers" campaign and tells of Daniel Armitage's presentation this month at the Dryden Historical Society. There's also a piece on "Primitive Pursuits Day," to be held at 4-H acres this Saturday, May 29th. There's also a "Summer Between the Lakes" supplement, with stories and listings of things to do this summer.
The Courier's sister paper, the Ithaca Times, has an article on Nicholas Patte, the Dryden fourth-grader who is a goodwill ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, as well as an extended piece on the state of Tompkins County Airport.
Posted by simon at May 27, 2004 8:10 PM in Dryden Courier , politics (local) , public finance , recreation