North Castle residents are concerned about a proposal to buy a new town hall. "It's a historic district. I used to chair the Landmarks Preservation Committee and I'm very concerned about maintaining history," says Susan Shimer, a resident. Officials want to buy and renovate a law firm building at 333 Main St. in Armonk, which is around the corner from the current Town Hall. Town officials say the current building on Bedford Road is too small for all of the departments and is prone to sewage backups and flooding. "We're kind of busting at the seams," says North Castle Town Supervisor Joseph A. Rende. Officials already got an appraisal of $7 million for the possible new location.

Rende says the public hearings will help decide whether to pursue eminent domain for that property. "We're looking at all of the financial aspects. We've done a test fit with our professional architects that we hired," he says.

Some people say a new Town Hall is needed.

But others are worried about the cost and what will happen to Bedford Road building.

"What's going to happen to the property. Are they going to knock it down?" says Marilyn Hupfeld, a resident.

"It's going to cost much more than simply acquiring the building and we don't know $7 million is realistic," says Shimer. No decision was made at this town board meeting.

The town supervisor says if the board approves of progressing with eminent domain, there would then be a town referendum.