DA wants office space at old jail

NORWICH – The Chenango County District Attorney’s Office renewed its request for additional office space Tuesday during a meeting of the Agriculture, Buildings & Grounds Committee.

Chairman Robert D. Briggs said District Attorney Joseph A. McBride’s office had called to inquire about using space at the old sheriff’s office and jail on West Park Place in Norwich.

“I’d hate to have to move them over there temporarily and then have to move them back so the renovations can be completed,” Briggs said.

Committee member Dennis Brown, D-Pharsalia, said the county would be “better off” having the DA’s offices expand their existing space within the County Office Building.

“It would double our security costs if we had some of their offices here and some of them there,” he said.

Though no decisions have been made for occupying the West Park Place structure after it is separated into two office buildings and completed, town supervisors have been leaning toward vacating the board’s large, third floor meeting room and holding supervisors’ monthly meetings over at the new facility.