Published: October 15, 2008 02:21 am            

SOMERSET: Haight Road charged with new life

SOMERSET — After wrestling with a demolition issue for much of Tuesday night’s meeting, the Town Board was happy to learn of a construction proposal in its own neighborhood.

JT Precision of Lower Lake Road in Barker wants to build a 10,000- to 12,000 -square-foot light industrial plant on Haight Road and double its workforce from 10 to 20. The land the company is eyeing is owned by James L. Dickinson, president of the Medina Railroad Museum. Dickinson introduced Jeff Thuman, 39, owner of JT Precision, to the board and requested a zone change from residential to industrial on 3.5 acres of land.

Thuman, who has worked in the business for 22 years, started the Computerized Numerical Control Machine Shop in a residential area three years ago. JT Precision makes an array of metal and plastic parts with computerized machines in a 4,500-square-foot floor plan.

“We do a lot of assembly for semi-conductor plants and medical surgical tools,” he said.

The Town of Lockport tried to lure Thuman, but he decided to stay in Somerset. The board applauded that decision.

“It looks like they’re going to go for it,” said Thuman.

“There’s no odor, no noise,” said board member Randall Wayner. “It’s very efficient.”

“I think it’s wonderful,” board member Daniel Engert said.

Dickinson, who lives on Haight Road, bought the property with his father in 1972. The intent was residential property, but it never developed. “We don’t see a lot of houses coming in.”

Dickinson and Thuman are close to a price for the property. “It’s a good price for both of us,” Thuman said.

Dickinson did not have the property for sale with a Realtor. “When Jeff approached me, I wanted to see the type of business he would develop here,” Dickinson said. “It intrigued me and we got together. I thought we could make a deal if we could get the zoning change.”

The planning board recommended the pair go to the town board meeting. There will be a public hearing Nov. 5.

Haight road has a church on the corner, the highway department, the town hall, an apartment house and the Dickinson house.

“It should go through, because I feel the town board is favorable,” Dickinson said. “I spoke with the apartment house and he had no problem with the development. This is contingent on if we can change zoning.”

        

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