North Salem officials settle into new office during renovation

NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - It’s official, North Salem’s supervisor and his chief of staff have moved into the trailer that will be their temporary home while Delancey Hall is being repaired and renovated.

Halston Media popped in recently to ask them how they liked their new digs.

“It’s functional,” deadpanned Warren Lucas, looking around the spartan yet surprisingly spacious office. “We’re hoping to be out of here as soon as possible.”

(Unfortunately, the exodus back to Delancey might not happen until April.)

The trailer has all the necessities, including internet, phones, lights, heating/cooling, … and a loo, although as of the reporter’s visit it hadn’t been hooked up yet.

And it’s nice that Lucas can glance outside his small window and see red and yellow apples bobbing on the tree that he himself planted.

So far, things have been rolling along.

There are – to be expected -- minor disruptions when lost folks drop around.

If they need the tax assessor’s office or the building department folks, Lucas and Kourakos can simply direct them to Loebdell House to the right or the Annex to the left.

Any other downsides?

The new car smell of plastic. But that should retreat in time, Lucas said.

His trailermate was a tad more upbeat.

“I’m very happy to have a place to be in where I’m close to my colleagues and the town supervisor,” Kourakos said, noting that her window faces the now scaffolding-enshrouded historic Town Hall and she can easily keep an eye on its “transformation.”

The beautiful apple tree outside is a plus, too.

“It’s working out very well. I’m very happy to be here,” Kourakos said, admitting however that she’s looking forward to returning to her new, old space when the renovation project is done.