ELDRED — The Highland Town Board returned to its newly renovated Town Hall for its October 13 meeting, following months of holding meetings at the nearby Highland Senior and Community Center while construction was underway.

Supervisor John Pizzolatto said renovations were funded through a grant secured by former Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther, which supported repairs to sloping floors, interior improvements and accessibility upgrades.

With the meeting room back in use, the town is moving forward with plans to demolish a condemned building next door to expand municipal parking.

The town purchased 564 State Route 55 for $78,000 in 2025 using federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. The property was acquired to address a shortage of municipal parking, with plans to create additional spaces for Town Hall visitors.

At the October 13 meeting, the board approved proceeding with demolition at an estimated cost of $57,540, according to Pizzolato. A $25,000 grant through Sullivan County’s Removal of Unsafe Structures program will offset that expense, leaving the town responsible for $32,540.

The original $55,040 demolition bid was awarded to Gorick Construction in June 2025. Pizzolato said the contractor subsequently increased its estimate by $2,500 to account for rising costs and delays.

The cleared property could also accommodate future improvements to Town Hall’s septic infrastructure, although no such work was approved as part of the demolition project.

Pizzolato said the town has approximately $65,398 remaining in its buildings budget, separate from the demolition grant.

Although the main meeting room has reopened, a few finishing touches remain, including the installation of two wall-mounted monitors and a cork bulletin board. The monitors will provide real-time captions during public meetings, improving accessibility for residents who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The town also intends to install additional equipment in its conference room for remote meetings and presentations.

Attention is also turning to the town courthouse, where officials are preparing to begin exterior roof and stucco repairs.

Pizzolato said the town is awaiting schedules and payment details from contractors before beginning the work. Interior renovations are expected to follow.