By Rob Sample
Work on the exterior of the Marlborough’s Community Recreation Center will resume as the result of a resolution passed unanimously by the Town Board on Monday night, August 28.
The Board approved hiring Master Pro Builders, Inc., of Middletown, at an estimate of $120,534. Work on the building had stopped after the unexpected departure of the previous contractor, WND Construction LLC. The Town Board also considered bids for the exterior work from Coupart Construction Company, Inc. of Marlboro and Mitchell M & Co., Inc. of Walkill.
The work encompasses the building’s vinyl siding, soffits and soffit vents, metal veneer, a metal roof and framing for its porch, brick work on the porch and façade, and all windows, among other details. “WND essentially walked away from the job,” said Town Supervisor Scott Corcoran. “We had to nullify its contract and pull the bond for the job.”
Construction bonds protect municipalities and other customers against financial loss resulting from a contractor’s failure to complete a project. The Town is negotiating a settlement with WND, and those monies will go toward the Center’s completion.
The building was originally the home of the Marlboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and the original structure is approximately 50 years old. It was turned over to the town after the VAC was unable to field a large enough crew of volunteers to handle the town’s needs. The building then went into use as a community and rec center but outgrew its original footprint.
The expansion and remodeling of the Center was made possible by a total of $800,000 in funding from a variety of state-level grant sources, Corcoran said. “We actually gutted the building down to its original shell,” he pointed out.
Once the exterior is complete, work on the interior will commence. Once finished, the building will encompass a large recreation room, the Seniors center, meeting and conference rooms, a training center, and a full kitchen. Rooms will also be available for rent for private parties and weddings.
“Hopefully, in the next month you’ll start to see some progress on the exterior, after which we’ll move to the interior work,” said Corcoran.
The Town Board also approved a resolution for the town to submit a request for funding from the Judicial Court Assistance Program (JCAP). This is an annual program administered by the New York State Unified Court System, with grants of up to $30,000 to municipal courts for courtroom improvements.
The meeting room at Marlborough Town Hall doubles as a courtroom and was renovated last year using JCAP funding. “We want to look into ways to improve the room’s acoustics, which aren’t good,” said Corcoran.
Among other business, the Town Board approved a fee waiver for the Milton/Marlboro United Methodist Church to use Cluett-Schantz Memorial Park for a fall annual picnic, and for the Marlboro Youth Baseball and Softball League to use the fields there during September and October.
The Board also indicated that it intends to explore the future installation of four pickleball courts at the park. Should this move forward, it would take place during the budget season of 2024.
Corcoran and board members noted that such courts have been popular in other towns and cities and would be a welcome addition in the town. “There are a lot of things this board has done in the past two years that have made the public very happy,” said Corcoran, “and we’re going to continue to build on that success.”