Putting together a committee to research the feasibility of several options for renovations to the Clarkson's Town Hall appears to be the next step in the process to upgrade the facility.

Officials looked at re-vamped architectural renderings of proposed building projects on October 9. The facade changes presented in the drawings were not to the liking of board members, nor were they in keeping with the unique style of the existing structure, they said.

Early in the spring of 2001, Town Supervisor Paul Kimball said, town officials brought in a grants writer to research options for upgrading the town's historic building. In order to be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, Clarkson's town hall must be equipped with handicapped accessible bathrooms.

A grant was received which allowed the town to hire the architectural firm of Barkstrom and LaCroix to do a conceptual plan and provide the town with options on upgrading its facility.

Because of the building's historical significance, specifications had to be in compliance with the town's historic overlay plans.

"We need to look at long range plans for this building," Trustee Harlan Purdy said.

Options discussed included an addition to the existing building, renovating the basement area or possibly relocating offices from the existing town hall to the courthouse in order to free up space to allow the installation of the restroom facilities.

In other matters, the board:

•Observed a moment of silence in honor of those killed in the September 11 attack on America and for those now serving in Afghanistan;

•Heard from Kathy Klump from Girl Scout Troop #275. She is a leader in the Brockport Service Unit.

She addressed the board with the idea of the scouts entering into a partnership with St. Pauley Textile to set up a clothing drop-off shed on Town of Clarkson property. The shed would allow individuals to drop off used clothing, which would be picked up by St. Pauley for distribution to homeless or indigent individuals.

The clothing dropp off would expand the annual clothing drive the scouts host. Scouts collect clothing, turn it in and are paid by the pound for the items collected. The funds received, Klump said, aid with financing activities for the scouts.

Purdy questioned the extent of the town's liability if someone were injured on or around the shed.

"I also don't want to see Clarkson faced with an overflowing shed and garbage bags lying around," he said.

Kimball said the town would be willing to entertain a six-month trial period for the installation of the clothing shed, pending further information from Klump.

•Kimball told board members that the YMCA was interested in using the town's lodge to host a Latchkey program for children in the Town of Clarkson. The program would run before and after school and would be offered to Town of Clarkson residents at a reduced rate. "I have talked to some families about this and they were excited at the thought this might be offered here," Kimball said.

Purdy said he feared offering the YMCA the use of the space would take away the town's flexibility in offering the building for use to other interested groups. He also questioned whether the YMCA would be paying for upkeep, cleaning, insurance or increases in the utility bills for the Lodge.

Trustee Allan Hoy pointed out there is a similar program that operates within the Brockport School system.

By a vote of three to two, Kimball was given the go ahead to discuss options with the YMCA for use of the lodge for the Latchkey program.