BETHEL — Town councilmembers in Bethel voted unanimously last week to approve design services for a new Highway Department garage. The town authorized design work from River Architecture and consulting engineering services from C.T. Male Associates.

In April of 2021 the town board rejected a quote of around $300,000 to repair and upgrade the current town barn. 

“We rejected those quotes at the time because, after doing all those repairs, we felt that we could still have an outdated, practically unusable, town barn to meet our needs for now and in the future,” said Town Supervisor Daniel Sturm. 

The current highway barn, located at 3695 route 55 in Kauneonga Lake, is a one-story, uninsulated structure built in the 1960s. 

“The highway garage building was not designed to conform to current energy efficiency standards or for the extent of the operations that it sees today, specifically its use as a full-time year-round office space,” Sturm said. “The lack of insulation in the building results in excess energy usage and is an uncomfortable environment during the winter time.”

Sturm says outdated windows also contribute to the building’s energy waste and the roof is deteriorating. 

“The existing building is dilapidated and too small to meet the needs of the town’s highway department,” Sturm said. “The proposed new town highway garage will provide adequate space to house and service equipment in a modern facility that is more efficient to operate and can accommodate energy efficiency improvements. The project represents a strategic investment in an important community asset for the town of Bethel.”

When complete, the new highway garage will be 100 by 220 feet and include 18 bays, upgraded office space, a break room, showers, bathrooms, workshops and storage facilities. Enhancements to improve energy efficiency are also considered. 

According to Sturm, the town board approved a $4 million bond back in 2008 for a new highway garage. They rescinded the bond two weeks later when the economy soured at the beginning of the Great Recession. 

“It was a smart, prudent move at the time looking back. However, the current barn is and has been in complete disrepair.” 

Sturm said a $5 million bond, if the board chooses to approve that, would mean a new highway garage similar to the Town of Liberty’s. The board will eventually have to go out to bid for construction.  

The town intends to pay for the new highway garage through low interest loans, in addition to federal grants, and through cost-saving measures such as higher energy efficiency. 

Sturm reiterated that the town is set to receive $28,000 a year from the solar facility on the capped landfill. Furthermore, the town has put money aside over the years in anticipation of such projects. 

“I can’t think of a better time to start this project than now based on these factors,” he said. “We will do it without raising taxes over the two percent state mandated tax cap. Our highway employees need it and deserve it. The savings on energy and equipment alone will help pay for this project over the long term.” 

Town Councilman Bernard Cohen said he used to work in the town’s current highway barn.

“It needed a lot of upgrading then and it probably needs three-times as much now,” Cohen said. 

Cohen said that just being able to store highway vehicles indoors during the winter will save on fuel and maintenance costs. 

Councilwoman Vicky Simpson agreed.

“It was needed in 2008. Unfortunately the economy went south … it’s really needed now,” said Simpson. “Those guys put in a lot of hours down there and it’s not easy working in those conditions.”