SANDY CREEK — The town will borrow up to $1 million to renovate the municipal building.

The Town Council passed a bond resolution at its June 18 meeting that authorizes the borrowing if no petition opposing the measure is submitted to the town before July 25.

"It'll pretty much be a total renovation of the town hall," Supervisor Lonnie E. Crast said.

He listed replacing the roof, installing energy-efficient windows and replacing utilities among the tasks to be included. The engineers estimated the cost of the project at about $997,000.

The town has applied for a low-interest loan from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development office. Even with the loan, the town would have to borrow some money through the bond market. The town has secured at least three state grants: a $50,000 grant from former state Sen. James W. Wright, R-Watertown, a $7,000 grant from Assemblywoman Dierdre K. Scozzafava, R-Gouverneur, and a $50,000 grant from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

The town hall was built in the late 1940s as the recreation center by Blount Lumber Co. Mr. Crast estimated it covers about 10,000 square feet on two floors.

"It's built solid as a rock," Mr. Crast said. "It has a good foundation, which makes it well worth renovating."

Upstairs, the building has a meeting hall with a stage. The lumber company built a soda fountain and six-lane bowling alley downstairs. The town has since converted the downstairs for its use.

If all progresses as planned, the council could see the first bids shortly after Labor Day.