NORWICH – Towers are rising on the Chenango County landscape, replacing an outdated communications system, but the timing has created a stumbling block for beginning renovations at the former jail and Sheriff’s Office in the City of Norwich.

A temporary transmission line still connects the old building in the city with the new Public Safety Facility on Upper Ravine Road in the Town of Norwich, providing 911 Emergency Management communications. West Park Place office contractors have chosen to wait until the new system is operating without the old cable before beginning any demolition on site, RC Woodford, Chenango County Clerk of the Board said last week.

Demolition of the former jail cell which connects the two structures was previously planned for the end of August. County leaders and architects are currently preparing the project for bid.

New York state’s Historical Preservation Office held up a tower that was to be erected in Coventry earlier this summer, Emergency Management Director Matt Beckwith said. “We had to wait for sign offs on an Indian Reservation that might have been there.”