The Town of Cobleskill is going after a $310,000 Community Development Block Grant that would help update the Highway Garage.
Supervisor Leo McAllister and councilmen have been looking into ways to finance a 3,200 square-foot addition, insulation, lights, ventilation improvements, and piping for radiant heat.
Originally, they'd considered financing the work with a 20-year low-interest loan, but after working with consultants GEMS Grant and Essential Management Service of Jefferson, decided to apply for the CBD money instead.
GEMs' Fred Krone said Monday the grant doesn't require a local match.
Deadline is June 16; he'll also submit an application to the Mohawk Development Economic Council for funding.
The Highway Garage was built in the 1970s and with the consolidation with the Village Highway Department, there are too many vehicles and not enough space in the building, Mr. Krone said.
Ventilation once the trucks are running so they can be shuffled into space is also a concern, he said.
Mr. McAllister said the town is also looking at the possibility of extending water and sewer lines to the barn, located off Barnerville Road.
It's less than a mile from Stoneview Apartments, where the lines now end, he pointed out, and nearby county buildings could also feed off the lines.
"The only way we can do this and do it right is to get some money," Mr. McAllister said.
Also Monday, the town voted against a pair of property tax exemptions being discussed for months.
The first would have given first-time homeowners a break on town taxes for five years; the second would have exempted any increase in assessments due to home improvements for eight years.
Though some had argued the exemptions would draw in homeowners, Assessor Alan Danforth said it's unlikely many would qualify under the complicated and complex restrictions.