Avoca to buy town hall from Masons
By BOB CLARK THE EVENING TRIBUNE

AVOCA - A lack of space and not enough security for records prompted the Avoca town board to push forward with an offer to buy its town hall.

The town hall, currently owned by the local Masonic Lodge, was offered to the town several years ago for $1, according to town Supervisor Chris Wellington.

The town pays $15,000 a year in rent to the Masons, which could have saved the town plenty of cash.

During the board's discussion, Wellington said the town and village had a joint committee to look into buying the building, which is in good structural shape.

Several residents called out to the board to jump on the purchase.

The board approved a motion declaring its intention to buy the building, and asked the Masonic members present to draw up the required paperwork, which could take until the end of the year.

In other business, the board discussed possibly eliminating a town justice or lowering the pay for the position at the next election.

According to town Attorney Karl Anderson, it is illegal to eliminate a judge's position or lower a judge's salary while they are in office.

"It would be leverage over the court," he said. "You can't pack or unpack the court."

According to information given to the public by the Avoca Taxpayers Awareness Group, the town court system will cost the town $5,000 more than what the court is expected to collect in fines. That would be the first negative balance in several years for the busiest town court in Steuben County, according to state Comptroller's Office.

Resident Pam Harmon suggested consolidating the court with neighboring towns, a move that town Justice Patrick McMahon said would not be in the town's best interest.

"The justice system isn't meant to be a profitable business," he said. "It is a service."