Melanie Lekocevic is reporting for Capital Region Independent Media that the Coeymans Town Board unanimously has approved a bond resolution to build a new town hall. The resolution permits the town board to construct the building at a cost of up to $7 million and to borrow a maximum of $4 million to pay for it. The July 14 vote starts the clock on a 30-day period during which a member of the public can submit a petition to put the project out to a permissive referendum, possibly triggering a public vote. The plan is to demolish the existing town hall at 18 Russell Avenue and replace it with a new two-story, 12,000 square foot building on the same lot. Once construction is complete, the old building would be torn down and a new parking lot would take its place. The board opened the public hearing at its June 23 meeting and continued the hearing during its July 14 meeting. Town board member Stephen Schmitt asked about the estimated $6 million cost of the project and if there were less expensive options. “Are we comparing Cadillac Escalades or is there a Honda Pilot version of a town hall?” he asked. McHugh said the town looked at several options including upgrading the current building, leasing space in the existing village hall building, and building on another plot of land within the town. The board determined, in conjunction with the project’s engineers, that building a new structure would be the best option. McHugh said 30 town employees work in the building, residents use the building daily, and there is a need for a new building. He pointed to mold and leaky pipes in the current town hall, which was originally an American Legion Post. Additional public hearings and a finalized building design are expected in the coming months. Read more at The UpStater [dot] com.