Village of Geneseo

Town, village reach $330K agreement on Geneseo Building

Members of the Geneseo Town Board attended the Geneseo Village Board meeting on Monday to hear architect Jon Norris review proposed exterior renovations for the Geneseo Building.

The project will entail brick restoration, window replacement, trim renewal and gutter and other metal replacement. It will also address the deteriorating concrete bases on the front pillars.

As a part-owner of the building where town court sessions are held, the town board has committed $100,000 towards the renovation project.

“If we’re not going to take the building down, maintenance of this kind is something we need to do,” said Town Supervisor Will Wadsworth.

After learning of this town commitment, the village board resolved to confirm its own $230,000 contribution.

Norris told village and town board members that staff with the New York Historic Preservation Office were surprised but flattered when the village, through Norris, voluntarily sought the office’s review of the project.

The preservation office does not approve insulated glass in window replacements, but will allow wood frame storm windows (where none existed before). An estimated nine large windows will need replacement.

Additionally, the state preservation staff recommended brick replacement be done, not with a single stock and color of brick, but rather using blends of three or four colors.

The boards accepted the notion of moving forward with aspirations of abiding by the state recommendations, but hedged their commitment by appointing a committee (mayor, deputy mayor, supervisor, deputy supervisor) to review purchases before spending is finalized.

There was particular concern over the window proposal because of the question over the actual historic correctness of storm windows, investing in items for the less visible rear and sides of the building, and in paying more for something which will be less energy efficient than insulated styles.

Norris also warned that the nine storm windows are not part of the original cost estimate and therefore might increase the overall project budget. He will be submitting costs of several different window styles to the committee for its evaluation.

Other items

The Good Neighbor Committee is now using the Geneseo Building for its meeting place on Fridays. The Rotary-supported group is involved in promoting learning and recreational opportunities for local youth.

The college senior class has held their picnic in the village park with an exceptionally loud band, amplified by the fact that speakers were not pointed out towards the valley, but rather up and down Main Street.

Mayor Hatheway said he was pleased that the group was able to have their event, but feels the correct decision was made to not allow a loud band in Highland Park.

In the future, groups hosting bands will be instructed in pointing their speakers towards the west. A bill has been sent for the delivery truck which dug up an area of newly seeded grass in the park.

The underground work which has taken place along the west side of Main Street between Bank and Court streets was installation of a new RG&E gas line.

The board discussed making application for DOT Safe Routes to School funds, to improve the stone path and repair the iron fence along Main Street south of the school.