ARKWRIGHT — The last time the Town Board received cost estimates for a new Town Hall, Supervisor Brian McAvoy defined the price tag as “crazy, crazy money.”

This time around, things turned out much better.

The Town recently opened bids for the work pertaining to a new Town Hall, and it went even better than expected. McAvoy stated the lowest responsible bids total around $1.1 million for the work, which is well below the initial estimate from LaBella Associates of roughly $1.4 million.

As a result, the Town is no longer looking to borrow money to pay for its new single axle truck for the Highway Department. “We’re going to pay for the new truck from reserves,” McAvoy said.

As of the end of April, the Town has approximately $1.3 million in its various bank accounts. The Town has also received just over $70,000 of quarterly sales tax revenue, with two more payments to come later this year. The Town will receive its local share of the windmill agreement later this year, as well.

“Our cash outlook is looking good,” McAvoy said.

McAvoy said rather than borrowing money for the truck now, the Town will attempt to pay for the Town Hall and the new truck with its cash on hand. If costs increase and the Town is in need of additional funds, it still reserves the right to bond the remaining amount due. But for now, the hope is that the Town can go forward without borrowing any money.

“We will watch our cash throughout the summer, throughout the construction, and if we need to take a bond anticipation note out at the end of the year to support the new building, we will,” McAvoy said. If the payments extend into 2027, the next year’s revenue can cover the cost without needing to borrow any funds.

“We’ve got some levers to pull that we don’t have to borrow money right now,” McAvoy said.

The official purchase of the new truck will likely be finalized in June, at the same time as the Town will likely award the contracts to the lowest bidders for the Town Hall. LaBella Associates will be drafting the final contracts in the coming weeks.

McAvoy extended thanks to all of the contractors who worked to prepare their bids. “We had great participation from all of the trades and are happy with the results,” McAvoy said. “Also, a big thanks to LaBella for their design and project management support.”

The Town originally planned for a new Town Hall, including the Highway Department garage, office space, and other amenities all as one building. Through years of discussions and multiple bid processes, the Town learned its plans were well beyond what it could afford. The lowest bid the Town received was $1.2 million over what was budgeted.

The Town then pivoted to splitting up its needs into separate projects. First, the Town built a Highway Department addition to provide extra space in the garage and office space. The project totaled roughly $850,000.

Now comes the new Town Hall, which will be built on the same land occupied by the current Town Hall, set to be demolished as the project proceeds. The building will serve as a Community Center and potentially an emergency shelter, if necessary. Currently, in 36 square miles of Arkwright, there is no other public meeting space for residents to gather. McAvoy hopes building a new Town Hall/Community Center will entice more people to view Arkwright as a great place to build a new home.

After discussion, the Board determined the new Town Hall color will be gray, in line with the new Highway Department addition and to minimize fading in future years.

The Town Board has included newly designed space for its Justice Court, which McAvoy and the Town Board has stood by, even while admitting the court does not generate enough revenue to be financially beneficial to the town, unless other municipalities share the cost down the road. McAvoy defined the court as a service that benefits the town’s residents. “The court is not a moneymaker,” McAvoy said.

One of the town’s former gathering places, the Arkwright Grange Hall, is moving forward in its demolition process in the hands of the Chautauqua County Land Bank. The Town Board consented to the site becoming vacant land after demolition as the Land Bank prepares the land for a future sale. The building fell into disrepair for several years and became hazardous, causing the Town Board to seek assistance from the Land Bank. “We can’t say it’s imminent, but at least there’s some progress,” McAvoy said.

The Town will also be looking more into the availability of grant funding for a salt shed. The Town is pursuing a grant through the New York State Water Quality Improvement Project program. “I don’t see any downside whatsoever for us,” McAvoy said.

Also at the recent meeting, the Town Board appointed Gina Vecchio as the new Town Deputy Clerk. Vecchio will work alongside Town Clerk Jane Lindquist.

The Town Clerk’s office collected $712 in the month of April, stemming from 17 dog licenses, eight death certificates, two marriage licenses, one building permit, and the sale of one cemetery plot. Of the total revenue, $17 was sent to the state and $695 was turned over to the town’s general fund. The Town Board also accepted the 2025 audit of the Justice Court.

The Town is planning to celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States by offering a tire amnesty to all landowners in Arkwright. On July 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., residents can bring two tires to the Town Hall to be discarded free of charge. Any landowner who would prefer a dog license instead of a tire amnesty can receive one free dog license certificate for any future purchase. Dumpsters will also be on site for trash disposal, as well.

The next meeting of the Arkwright Town Board is scheduled for Monday, June 8 at 6:30 p.m.