Warren County buildings and grounds update: asbestos discovery, chimney demo, heaters, front steps and forensic center planning

Warren County Facilities Committee members received updates on multiple buildings-and-grounds projects including an asbestos finding in the boardroom renovation, a chimney demolition contractor mobilizing next week, installation of new heaters in the Office of Emergency Services (OES) garage, plans to use leftover ARPA funds for courthouse front steps and ring-road design, and ongoing multi-county talks about a regional forensic center.

Kevin Hajos, superintendent, said the county awarded the boardroom renovation contract in December and expects a 60-day construction schedule once the general contractor provides shop-drawing approvals and secures materials. Hajos told the committee the project uncovered mastic adhesive under floor tile that contains asbestos — an unforeseen condition discovered after bidding — and the county is awaiting cost estimates for mitigation. “The only thing that was an unforeseen condition was the mastic under the tile underneath the carpet was found to have asbestos,” Hajos said, adding that containment and removal may add cost.

Hajos said the contractor will likely use containment and may remove materials through a window adjacent to the supervisor’s seat to avoid bringing debris through the county center. He said the county aims to limit disruption and keep the contractor to the contract timing.

The chimney-demolition contract was awarded to Davco Masonry; the contractor is expected to start the following Monday and finish in about two weeks. After the chimney work, county crews will repair an adjacent corner office.

On heating, Hajos said BPI has a contract to install three 40-foot-long heaters in the OES building and that equipment should be installed within two weeks, using an on-site tank to save costs. The heaters will warm equipment bays and allow the county to consolidate vehicles and equipment into updated heated bays.

Committee members also discussed long-standing plans to repair and redesign the courthouse front steps and adjacent ring road. Hajos said about $200,000 remains from the core project and the county will ask its consultant (LaBella) to produce final designs that could be bid in alternates — steps first, then additional ring-road and drainage work depending on funding.

On security screening, the committee heard the sheriff’s department is pursuing grant paperwork to purchase a two-tower walk-through magnetometer for the DMV area; staff expect minimal site modification and will install the unit once procurement is complete.

The committee also discussed a regional forensic center. John (staff) said the county is meeting with New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) contacts and Homeland Security about funding and regional need; he said costs are likely too high for Warren County to shoulder alone. “I think we've realized that the cost would be too significant for Warren County to take this on and do the capital cost on our own,” John said. He said the county aims to find grant and state support for about half of construction costs and will ask neighboring counties to participate in a committee and potential multi-county authority to share capital and operating costs.

During the meeting the committee approved the prior meeting minutes by voice vote and later voted to adjourn; no other formal committee actions were recorded on the building projects.

Davco Masonry, BPI and LaBella were named in project updates; staff said they will return with cost estimates for asbestos mitigation and with consultant designs for the front-steps and ring-road work.