By JOSHUA THOMAS

C-S-E Editor

FORT PLAIN — The village of Fort Plain has obtained a new gazebo, the worth of which is estimated at $14,000, thanks to donor Ann Buckell and Historic Fort Plain, Inc., who acquired the donation and recently transported the three-plus ton structure from its former home of Fort Edward.

The 10 by 16 foot gazebo, which is equipped with electrical capabilities, will replace the current tourist information booth at the corner of Haslett Park.

The gazebo was moved over the course of two days by Tolga Morawski, who coordinated the effort; Jim Earring, who provided trucking and the trailer used, along with providing expertise in moving; local contractors Hein Kraak and Rich Strunk, who provided tools, equipment and additional expertise; and Scott Bicknell, Adam Bermas, Steven Young and Tim Hislop, who helped load the gazebo onto a trailer, readying it for the trip to its new home of Fort Plain.

“We invite you and the community to 19 Wagner Street [the home of Ted Arndt] to view this new addition to our village,” stated a progress report submitted to the board by the Directors of Historic Fort Plain, Inc. The gazebo is currently situated in Arndt’s driveway on the trailer it was transported on.

“It will be a nice looking addition to our community,” stated Mayor Guy Barton of the gazebo.

The current tourist information booth will be moved to the entrance of Wiles Park, situated so that the door faces the road.

The Village Board also discussed another gazebo they recently came into ownership of during Tuesday’s meeting. The village was gifted an old gazebo that used to be located in Haslett Park, and they’re currently trying to figure out how to move the gazebo from the McKay property where it’s currently situated.

DPW Superintendent George Capece said that while the heavy top of the gazebo is in good condition, the bottom portion of the structure is rotting, as it’s sat for years on often-wet land.

Capece said the top might need to be removed for the structure to be properly transported. The Village Board is concerned that it might cost more than it’s worth to move. Trustee Michael Calbet also raised the issue of liability, wondering what would happen if somebody were injured on the structure while it’s situated in its current location.

The board implored Capece to contact a specialist in moving such large, sensitive items, to learn more about proper transport, and tabled the issue until they obtain further information.

Police Chief Robert Thomas said during Tuesday’s meeting that a department vehicle is ready to be sold. The board noted that parties interested on making an offer for the vehicle — an eight cylinder, 2006 Dodge Charger with 140,000 miles that has been maintained throughout its life — should submit sealed bids at the village office by Monday, November 19, the date of the next regularly scheduled Village Board meeting.