CARTHAGE — Town of Wilna officials agreed Monday to borrow money to demolish two abandoned buildings and to purchase equipment for the highway department.

The Ashwood property, also known as Olley Apartments, at 43991 State Route 3, Natural Bridge, and the Jug Bar & Grill, 35328 County Route 36, in Munns Corners are abandoned and have been deemed unsafe.

The town will borrow up to $40,000 for the Natural Bridge property and $26,000 for the Munns Corners property to remove debris and to abate “nuisance” materials such as asbestos. The Route 36 establishment was heavily damaged by fire in 2002.

At the request of Highway Superintendent Patrick J. O’Meara, the board agreed to borrow up to $135,000 to buy a 2012 John Deere front-end wheel loader from Nortrax Equipment Co., Gouverneur. The loader will replace a 1979 front-end wheel loader that will be sold to defray costs, the superintendent said.

Mr. O’Meara, upon questioning by town Treasurer James E. Yuhas, assured the board that he did not foresee any other major purchases in the next five years.

All three bonds will be payable over the next five years.

The board also approved $67,000 from the town budget and Consolidated Highway Improvement Program funds to pave town roads. Mr. O’Meara provided the town board with a list of town roads that need attention. The total estimated cost of all of the work was $292,565.

“We should be doing 2.6 miles a year,” Mr. O’Meara said. “We are getting further and further behind and it’s not going to get better.”

Councilman Marco J. Franchini suggested paving the worst roads this year while keeping under budget.

“Put a Band-Aid on the worst bleeders,” said Councilman Michael F. Storms. “It’s like bear-hunting with a BB gun.”

Mr. O’Meara said he probably will target Loop, Backus and Rogers Crossing roads.

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