HUDSON–Looking to save money, the Finance Committee of the county Board of Supervisors met this week to discuss refinancing on two building projects, one of them complete and the other still in progress.
County Controller Ron Caponera discussed refinancing the outstanding loan of $325,000 for the Public Health Building on Columbia Street, telling the committee at the February 5 meeting that the county would see a considerable savings by lowering the rate to 1.75% from the current 3.95%.
The committee also got into a spirited discussion of the ongoing renovation of the County Courthouse, which has been in progress for years but is now at a critical phase, with all County Court activities having moved from the historic courthouse in Hudson to an old school on Route 23 in Claverack .
Mr. Caponera told the committee that the county could save $494,000 by refunding the public improvement bonds. That led to Supervisor Michael Benson (R-New Lebanon), chairman of the Public Works Committee, to press for clarity on projected future payments.
While acknowledging that forecasts could change, Mr. Benson said that “It’s within our rights” to ask that payments to contractors be driven by progress on the project.
Mr. Caponera said he planned to meet with the courthouse project architects Thursday, February 7 and invited Mr. Benson to attend. Mr. Benson accepted the invitation.
Also at the meeting, the board approved motions on matters that included filling current staff vacancies, establishing standard work days, purchases of protective gear and additional computers for emergency services, repairing bridges in New Lebanon and Stockport, and authorizing the purchase of land at the Meadowgreens Golf Course in West Ghent.
A motion also was made to express condolences to the family of the late John Hess, former Claverack Town Supervisor. It passed unanimously.
