Moriah discusses future of Henry's Garage building

PORT HENRY | The Moriah Town Board at its Nov. 12 meeting agreed to seek bids for the purchase of one of Port Henry's more storied buildings, the former Henry's Garage that now is home to the Port Henry Fire Department. Moriah Supervisor Tom Scozzafava said he has shown the historic property to one prospective buyer and is aware of interest from another. Any sale agreement would need to allow the fire department to stay until it's ready to move into new quarters. "We want to get this (sale) rolling, but obviously we're not going to put the fire department out on the street," Scozzafava said. The four-story garage, built in 1911 with blocks formed out of 150 tons of tailings from the Witherbee Sherman iron mines, came on the cusp of the automotive era, and included an elevator to lift cars between floors. It gained further renown as the setting of a documentary focusing on a young military enlistee who set a can of beer on a rafter and said he would drink it when he returned from Vietnam. He never came home. The story had been all but forgotten until the beer can was found years later. In other matters at its November meeting the town: — Agreed to move forward with a community solar plan that could save residents 10% on their power bills. Board Member Nate Gilbo said the initiative is part of state efforts to increase the usage of green energy. The town would pay less as well, about $900 a year, and would get a bonus for each home and business it referred to the solar program. Residents who sign up for the program would basically be buying their electricity from solar farms instead of traditional generators. Other than the reduction in their bills they would notice no other difference, and they would be able to switch back if they so chose, Gilbo said. Gilbo said "It's something that would be beneficial and opens the door for future grants" to make homes more energy efficient. Board members also discussed solar projects slated for the west side of Decker Flats. The town does not directly receive tax money on the improvements to the land, as it would for a house, but does collect income from a financial agreement with the solar company based on the number of megawatts that are produced. "I think it's a good project, and I don't see any houses going in up there," Scozzafava said. He said there had been talk of a solar project at the old town landfill site, but a problem that would have to be overcome is a lack of adequate transmission lines nearby. — Discussed a $300,000 grant for renovation to Town Hall. The grant would pay for a wheelchair ramp in front and a handicapped-accessible bathroom in the rear of the building. It will also build a vestibule at the main entrance to prevent heat loss. — Announced that Mountain Lake Services is purchasing the old Stewart's building for offices and retail space for the sale of products made by its clients. The Stewart's was replaced earlier this year by a bigger store next door. — Accepted $20,000 from the Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism (Roost) and dedicated it to improvements at the town campgrounds. The money is new this year, the product of an increase in the county bed tax. The town has been ramping up improvements at its two lakeside campgrounds, which it feels could be optimized to attract more people to Port Henry. This year it built rental cabins on a small bluff overlooking the lake, although the camping season was shortened by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Signup for our newsletter

Moriah discusses future of Henry's Garage building

COMPANY

CUSTOMER SUPPORT

SUBMISSION FORMS

BEYOND THE NEWS