The leaders of four communities – Brockport, Sweden, Clarkson and Hamlin – are in the process of appointing a committee to study the feasibility of building a joint community center.

The idea has been tossed about for most of this year by Hamlin Supervisor Austin Warner, Brockport Mayor Mary Ann Thorpe, Clarkson Supervisor Paul Kimball and Sweden Supervisor Buddy Lester. The four meet once a month to discuss common issues.

Thorpe said the group has not come to a consensus on whether a community center is even needed, and so have decided to turn to an appointed committee that will study the issue in-depth and then report back to the elected officials.

Each of the four municipalities will appoint two members to the committee – one town (or village) board member and one citizen-at-large.

"The only criteria we’ve established," Thorpe said, "is that it would have to be centrally located."

Brockport, Sweden and Clarkson already participate in two similar endeavors together – the Joint Recreation Commission and the Seymour Library. Thorpe said that the Brockport Central School District creates a bond among the four communities’ youth that shouldn’t be overlooked when planning something like a community center.

If the committee returns to the municipal boards with a recommendation in favor of building a community center, Thorpe said that doesn’t mean it would happen. "I can’t speak for the other municipalities, but we’re not in the financial position to fund something like this at this point."