BETHEL — After completion of an extensive application process, the Town of Bethel was awarded a USDA loan of $6.3 million to construct a new Highway Department garage, and another USDA loan of $3.6 million for a new Town Hall. The news was discussed at the Bethel Town Board meeting Wednesday, January 24, 2024. 

The Highway Department garage will be built on Route 55E between Bethel and Swan Lake and will provide adequate storage for equipment and a safe, efficient, environment for employees. Contractors will be selected by the end of March through advertised bidding, and construction is foreseen to begin in May or June. 

The Town Hall will be a 30’ x 40’ structure, expected to be built upon the foundation of the present site, with the anticipation of an extension. With state-of-the-art energy efficient lighting and plumbing fixtures, as well as other modern features, it will serve as a model to the public and provide ample workspace for employees. Additional funding for the total project cost will come from a New York State Energy Research and Development (NYSERDA) grant of $165,000. 

During construction, which will begin in late spring, Town offices will be temporarily housed at the former Duggan School.

The loan application required a month of combined effort by the staff, legal expertise and engineers (River Architects). Specifications were sent to the USDA, revisions were sent back, and extensive follow-up work was needed.

There are budgeted funds as well as NYSERDA funding of $67,000 to supplement the total cost of the Highway Garage project.

The interest rate on both loans is below market at 3.625 percent, which will save a considerable amount of money throughout the years. Additional funding by the Town will be allocated from within the two percent NYS annual tax cap.

The next step will entail the USDA to review the site plans and send comments to the architects, who will adjust the plans until they conform to guidelines. The specifications and plans for both projects will be available online through a link on the Town website: www.townofbethelny.us.

Sustainable Bethel 

Committee 2024 

appointments

The Sustainable Bethel Committee, which was formerly called The Bethel Green Committee, and is a Climate Smart Community Program, has forged the path to Bethel’s designation in 2018 as a Bronze Certified Community. 

This certification has helped Bethel receive grants for its ongoing projects. Currently there are 176 LED street lights, which has resulted in savings of 76 percent; an electric car charging station; a solar array, which provides a 10 percent discount on electric bills for residents who are connected to it; and a Community Action Plan, which is a key initiative of Sustainable Bethel, is projected for 2024.

The public can access the online Bethel Sustainable page to view town fuel and electric costs. This data is provided by Jeffrey Allison, and it indicates aberrations in costs that need attention and helps the Town stay within its budget.

The 2024 appointees of the Sustainable Bethel Committee are:

Jeffrey Allison, MBA, Chairperson

Michael Chojnicki, R.A., Architect

Vicki Simpson, Retired Councilmember

Daniel Sturm, Town Supervisor

Jennifer Young, Business Owner

Wendy Brown, Town Councilmember

Roger Broom, Architect

Lillian Hendrickson, Alternate, Town Councilmember

Moreen Lerner, Manager BLDC, Climate Smart Community Coordinator; Interface amongst Town Supervisor and Town personnel 

Town Supervisor Dan Sturm stated, ”I can’t thank the committee enough for all they’ve done.”