by Bea Peterson
After more than 15 years in the planning and three different sets of building plans, an Open House was finally held at the new Pittstown Town Garage on Route 67 in Johnsonville on Saturday, April 27. Set up on a hill and back from the road, the 11,956 square foot building sits next to a 3,840 square foot salt shed and eight rows of 50 kw of solar panels. It is an impressive arrangement. The salt shed was required to prevent runoff into nearby waterways. It was built in two and a half weeks.
[private]The ten bay garage is 122 by 98 feet and easily accommodates the Town’s highway equipment. Vehicles can come in any one of the four overhead doors on the front of the building and drive out one of the six overhead doors on the other side of the building. There is plenty of work area, storage, office space and break room space. Radiant heat keeps the ten bay building warm. Pittstown Town Supervisor Ed King said the Town pays New York Light Energy $254 a month for use of the solar panels. Utilities for the building would average $500 or more a month without the panels. Sunshine helps. Last month the garage utility bill was $16.
The cost of the complex was $1.4 million. Supervisor King said there will be no increase in Town taxes as the cost of the building has been figured into taxes for some time. The Board is looking into refinancing the project through a fixed rate bond that would be paid off in 15 years. King said other savings will be realized in years to come. All the Town’s equipment was previously stored outside. Now everything can be stored inside and equipment maintenance can take place year around. The Highway Committee has been able to reduce its budget from $160,000 a year to $100,000 a year and put the other $60,000 toward new equipment.
Besides Pittstown Council Members John Colarusso, Matt Demars, Jason Eddy, Verna Hansen, Supervisor King and Highway Superintendent Bob Russell, several others were on hand for the Open House. They included Deputy Rensselaer County Executive Chris Meyers, County Legislator Ken Herrington, NYS Senator Kathy Marchione and US Congressman Chris Gibson.
King thanked the Steering and Highway Committees for all the work they did to make this long awaited day come to be. He thanked Town Clerk Michelle Hoag for the challenging job of keeping everything organized. He commended the Town Board for their work.
Councilwoman Hansen said from the moment ground was broken for the new building “Ed [King] was here every day.” She said he acted as Clerk of the Works and saved the Town anywhere from $30,000 to $50,000, which is a huge benefit to the Town.
Congressman Gibson commended the Town for its hard work and smart investment. “Your conservative focus has led you to make smart choices leading toward energy independence,” he said.
Chris Meyers congratulated the Town and presented King with a congratulatory certificate from County Executive Kathy Jimino and the Legislature.
State Senator Marchione commended and congratulated the Town on making such a courageous decision during a tough economy.
A large crowd of people was on hand for the Open House. They toured the building and enjoyed abundant refreshments.
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