WEST CARTHAGE — Renovations of the town of Champion offices, 10 N. Broad St., are nearing completion. With $18,000 in funding obtained through the Justice Courts Assistance Program, the offices are making use of unoccupied space to give the two town justices more room.

Town Clerk Christina M. Vargulick said the renovations included replacing the flooring and creating a more secure area for Judges Dennis G. Quinn and Karen J. Freeman and their clerk, Helen Novak, to work.

The new rear entrance to the court will allow easy access to the clerk’s window and added security.

Across the hallway, the new entrance will have the magnetometer built in to check those entering the room for metals. As required by the court system, bailiff David Bates operates the security device, which was a previous JCAP purchase.

Mrs. Vargulick said there will be double doors next to the device but they will only open from inside the courtroom to be used as an exit on court nights. Those doors will be used to enter the room for town meetings.

The renovated court complex will also have a small holding cell for prisoners and a defense room.

“Before we would just have prisoners sit out in the hall,” the town clerk said, noting the holding cell will be a safer option.

Attorneys may speak privately in the defense room with their clients. The district attorney will also use the room.

After the judges move into their new office, the vacated area will be used by the town historian, Lynn M. Thornton.

“I’m excited about the new office,” Mrs. Thornton said. “I will have more space and be able to have everything in one place — be able to better organize documents. There will also be room to chat with people looking for history.”

The town officials expect the work to be completed within the next three weeks.

During its September meeting, the Town Council authorized submitting another application for a JCAP grant of $30,000 or less to replace the steel exterior finish and flashing, install insulation and replace an exterior door to improve security.

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