Progress being made on Dryden Village Hall

The Village of Dryden continues to make progress on renovations for Village Hall at 16 South St., said Mayor Mike Murphy.

According to Deputy Mayor Deb Fisher in January (tinyurl.com/2e298pe6) and a newsletter sent out by the village in December of last year, the construction project includes improvements to the brick façade and window systems, upgrades to the insulation system and replacement of the entire roof.

The newsletter also states the village is looking to improve the building’s operational needs, including a new energy-efficient HVAC system and restrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It will also include the addition of a handicapped-accessible entrance on the side of the building, where a wheelchair ramp and automatic door-opener will be installed.

Other upgrades to Village Hall include the adjustment of window frames, replacing the carpet with tile “to maintain [it] easier,” repainting the walls and taking out old radiators, Murphy said.

The estimated cost of the entire renovation project is $1.9 million, but Murphy noted that the final total could be less. Back in January, Fisher noted the village will cover costs through a bond.

“This reaffirms why we did [the renovations],” Murphy said, noting the dire need for improvement to the building’s siding, wall support and roof. “There are a number of things we discovered that really needed to be solved. It’s going to make the place much more climate-ready, much more functional for the people working there, and … it will last a long time.”

With the first floor of Village Hall currently receiving a facelift inside and out, the village offices and police department are operating on the second floor.

Completion of construction is tentatively slated for the end of the year, but Murphy noted the village’s staff members will more than likely move back to the first floor at the beginning of next year.

Despite the front of Village Hall being inaccessible, “We’re still open for business,” Murphy said.

To heat a majority of the building in the future, contractors will install electric-powered heat pumps, Murphy said. He added that a gas boiler will heat the second floor.

Murphy mentioned that the village recently had to buy a new boiler for the building; its previous boilers “went out” this past winter.

“We will be much more efficient in keeping the building warm and cool,” Murphy noted of the building’s new HVAC system in the future.

He added that mid-1900s-style windows at Village Hall are “just not what is needed these days,” noting that modernized windows will improve sound and heating and air conditioning.

The old brick façade of the building has been taken off, Murphy said.

“The majority of the front building will be new brick,” he added, noting most of the old brick will be used for decoration for other parts of the building or around the village. “We’re finding things we didn’t know until we took the walls down. It added some challenges, but things are going well.”

Murphy added that discoveries behind the walls were “nothing major.”

Supply chain issues have delayed the process of putting in new windows, which in turn delayed the start of improvements to the roof. Murphy anticipates the roof will not be worked on until the end of September.

“The roof was in bad need to be done, but it’s still holding on,” he added. “Once we enter October, everything will be happening quickly.”

Aside from improvements to the outside of Village Hall and the first floor, Murphy noted the kitchen on the second floor is being restored. He added the second floor could be rented out to the community for various events in the foreseeable future.

As Fisher noted in the past, the village is hoping the building can “last as long as possible.”

Dryden Dispatch appears every Wednesday in Tompkins Weekly. Send story ideas to editorial@VizellaMedia.com.

In brief:

First Responder Night slated for Sept. 14

The Village of Dryden will be holding a First Responder Night from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 14 at Montgomery Park.

The meet-and-greet event will include the Village of Dryden Police Department, the Dryden Fire Department, Dryden Ambulance, Tompkins Cortland Community College police and New York State Police.

Each first responder organization will provide safety tips and include ways to help out in the community.

James Turner will be performing a magic show and making animals for children. Hot dogs and water will be available at the event.

Southworth Library to host ‘Teen Takeover’ movie night

Southworth Library, located at 24 W. Main St. in the Village of Dryden, is hosting “Teen Takeover: Movie Night Edition” from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 16.

The event is for youth entering into grades six through 12. Teens will have an opportunity to pick the movie that will be shown, and pizza and popcorn will be served at the event.

Those interested in the event can register a spot at southworthlibrary.org.