During a special meeting Friday night, the Wellsville Town Board inched closer to potentially relocating its government offices at the Wellsville Airport. The potential relocation would be for a year or two while a long-term option is developed.
Why? The village and town governments have called the Municipal Building at 156 North Main Street home for decades. However, the village decided to move to 23 North Main Street. However, the town said there wasn't enough room for them.
The dilemma: The village owns the Municipal Building and had planned on offering the town a month-to-month lease. Town officials noted that they currently give the village around $12,000 a year in rent. One concern expressed tonight was that if the building gets sold, the town will need to scramble to find a place to operate. Council member Bill Fish said he has been obtaining quotes and it would cost around $7,500 to make the airport space accommodating for town purposes.
The catch: Even though, the airport building and property are owned by the town, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would need to 'sign-off' on the deal. As a result, the town board voted 5-0 to authorize Town Supervisor Shad Alsworth to obtain permission for the FAA. Every board member stressed that if operations move to the airport, it would not be permanent. However, no one is quite ready yet to discuss what future options are under consideration. The apparent consensus of the board what that money is tight, it would be fiscally responsible to save $12,000 a year in rent and there is no longer term future left at the Municipal Building. Alsworth said "I haven't heard anyone say...don't move."
