The awarding of a $775,000 low interest loan under the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development program could well pave the way toward Town of Murray officials' plan for a new town building.

Citing lack of space and the need for upgraded facilities, Murray officials have been investigating the steps necessary to construct a new building and the receipt of the loan from Rural Development is one of the phases in that process.

"We certainly hope to build for much less," Town Supervisor Henry Lehning said. "Our preliminary figures are in the $500,000 range."

Lehning said the 33-year-old building that houses the town offices is cramped quarters on nights when court is in session.

"The room only holds 42 people and sometimes that isn't sufficient," he explained, adding there is no conference room if an attorney needs to confer with a client.

Additionally, the town assessor's office is on the second floor, rendering it inaccessible for some residents.

"If a resident has a question on their tax bill, for example, the assessor has to bring all of the information downstairs and discuss it with them in the town meeting room," he said. "There is no space for a confidential discussion between a taxpayer and the assessor."

Also in question are the building's restroom facilities. Presently, they are not handicapped accessible. Making them comply with federal regulations would require the knocking down of the cement walls in the building in order to expand the facilities.

The site of the new building would be across the road from the present location. Lehning said officials are looking to construct a 6,000 square feet town hall. It would be constructed with moveable interior walls to provide for future expansion needs, he said.

The highway department would utilize the existing building.

The tax implications of the proposal have not been tallied yet, Lehning said. They would be available before the public vote that will be scheduled for sometime in October. Town informational meetings will be conducted to explain the process to residents.