At the latest Arkwright Town Board meeting, Supervisor Brian McAvoy presented the Town Board with a cost estimate for the proposed building project. Even with its modest footprint and a focus on being functional, rather than extravagant, the third party estimate received from LaBella Associates was $1.4 million, with perhaps an additional 20% for soft costs and furnishings.

“There is nothing left to cut, so we either carry on to get this done or take a hard look at what we can downsize,” McAvoy stated.

If the building is deemed too costly in its current design, the Town Court and polling center would be the initial targets for cuts. Then, the Town Clerk’s office would be reduced to a “bare bones” office for local business and record storage.

McAvoy reiterated that the most common question he receives from residents as Supervisor is, “When will a new Town Hall be built?”

Town of Arkwright Supervisor Brian McAvoy shared a cost estimate for a new Town Hall and Community Center at the latest meeting of the Town Board.

One resident in attendance at the recent meeting stated that he uses the current Town Hall as a joke punchline. That resident advocated for the new building to be built.

McAvoy estimated the median residential tax burden for Arkwright to be about $471 annually, so the question becomes whether residents would prefer to see a reduction to that figure as tax relief or see a community building that would be a draw for the Town.

McAvoy believes that with some belt tightening in 2026 for non-building related expenses, the building can be built without any additional tax impact. The Town Board does not intend to raise taxes to do the project.

McAvoy frequently reports that the Town is in good shape financially, due in large part to substantial payments each year for hosting wind turbines. While the Town has the money to spend, the Town Board wants to make sure residents are on board for such a substantial purchase before it proceeds.

After discussion, the Town Board decided that it will schedule a public meeting in early September regarding the matter. Doing so would give the Board enough time to budget according to whichever direction the residents lean. In the meantime, feedback from residents is encouraged.

In other Town business, McAvoy urged the Board to once again consider a nuisance dog law. He stated that the quality of life of some residents is being negatively impacted by their neighbors’ dogs, with little or no consequences. McAvoy asked the Board to consider definitions of what constitutes a nuisance, focusing on the difference between a random event and a pattern.

The Board also approved Supervisor McAvoy to offer a bid on behalf of the Town, not to exceed $15,000, for a parcel of land being sold at the County Tax Auction in August.