Allegany County panel reviews 55 Chamberlain move, Conflict Defender renovation and Third Floor funding; moves to attorney‑client session

The Allegany County Space Needs Committee on March 5 received updates on several county facility moves and renovations, including the relocation of staff to 55 Chamberlain, ongoing remodel work on the Conflict Defender office, and remaining funding for a planned Third Floor build‑out. Committee members then voted to enter an attorney‑client session to discuss related legal and procedural issues.

Deputy Superintendent Dean Scholes said county crews and contractors completed extensive work at 55 Chamberlain to ready the building for occupants. "They helped us out — the highway department and building and grounds did a monumental job to get those folks in and placed right," Scholes said, adding that furnaces, lighting and other systems were checked and repairs made. Scholes said the county moved people from 45 Broad Street to 55 Chamberlain within about a week and that a dedicated cleaner now services the building daily.

Committee members raised questions about staffing and parking at 55 Chamberlain. Scholes said the county has moved at least a dozen people into the building but did not provide an exact headcount; county staff estimated the site may need about 17–18 parking spaces to accommodate county and personal vehicles. Scholes also said the county was awaiting state site approval for some uses at that location.

On the Conflict Defender office remodel, Scholes and staff described steady progress. He said contractors, engineers and the county code enforcement officer have met biweekly and that major systems — wiring and plumbing — are complete, with sheetrock installation expected soon. "It's coming along and appears to be on schedule," Scholes said. Staff acknowledged there have been change orders typical of remodeling an older house and said code enforcement guidance helped limit some costs.

County staff discussed internal space shifts connected to the Conflict Defender move. The mailroom was temporarily placed on the Third Floor to accommodate other moves. Tim Boyd, speaking on behalf of Carissa (who was absent), said once the Conflict Defender office is occupied the county expects four individuals to be based in their new space, which could allow staff such as Mallory or Heather to be relocated back and free up the mailroom corner office.

Committee discussion turned to funding for a larger Third Floor build‑out. Staff reported previous Dormitory Authority (DASNY) grants and allocations were used for the Department of Health and Public Defender build‑out. Participants said about $100,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds remains assigned to the Third Floor project and that roughly $19,000 was leftover from earlier work, for a combined figure staff referred to as approximately $119,000 currently in the project account. Staff cautioned the committee that earlier estimates varied and that $100,000 likely would not be enough for a full build‑out.

Members also discussed whether the Employment and Training office should move from its current off‑campus location (referred to in discussion as the Crossroads) back to county space, including possible temporary placement on the Third Floor. Committee members noted the space needs study will take several years to phase in and expressed reluctance to leave Employment and Training without a stable location for an extended period.

Near the end of the public agenda a committee member moved to go into an attorney‑client session to clarify legal issues connected to the items discussed; another member seconded the motion and the chair called for a voice vote. The chair announced "all in favor," and the committee recessed into attorney‑client discussion. Individual roll‑call votes were not recorded in the public transcript.

The committee said it will continue the conversation at a follow‑up meeting next month to firm up options for Employment and Training and to finalize plans tied to the Conflict Defender occupancy and Third Floor build‑out.