Bricks & Mortar Report

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Bricks & Mortar Report will provide occasional updates on major construction projects in Chenango County.

Chenango County Public Works Department:

• Construction of cell three at the Pharsalia landfill will be wrapped up by the end of the month. DPW Director Randy Gibbon said he was currently reviewing covering options, whether tire chips or stone.

• A $32,000 Senate Transportation Committee grant sponsored by Sen. Thomas W. Libous, R-Binghamton, announced July 23 will be used to replace and upgrade four traffic lights in the towns of Norwich, Guilford and German.

• County leaders accepted the lowest bid for roof repairs needed at the Rexford Street highway garage. Weathermaster Roofing Company, Inc. of Binghamton bid $51,000 for the job.

Cornell Cooperative Extension Roof replacement:

• New roofing on the front, peaked sections of the converted 1890s’ era Martin family home at 99 N. Broad St. in Norwich was installed last week. The two flat sections of the Extension’s previous 30-year old roof were replaced last year.

• The capital project also included new, automatic doors for the offices’ rear entrance. Extension Director Keith Severson said it took two years to raise funds that included individual donations and grants from foundations, organizations and the offices of New York Senator Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton.

• Two upstairs bathrooms will be made handicapped accessible and receive new flooring this fall. Also, the building’s exterior will be power washed.

Employment stats:

• The Chenango County Office of Employment and Training reported a 4.7 percent unemployment rate in July. The figure compares to a 4.7 percent in July of 2006 and 4.6 percent in June.

Garf’s:

As part of the Main Street grant, offered by the New York State Housing and Trust Fund Corporation and organized through the Norwich Business Improvement District several local businesses are making improvements. Garf’s Deli is making facade improvements to its store front, which will include a new awning and brick repair and painting. The BID has secured $400,000 in funding for local businesses. The program works as a 50/50 grant, with 50 percent of money for improvements coming from the grant, and 50 percent from the business owner.