LOWVILLE — Lewis County officials are now looking at the former Kinney Drugs spot as a possible solution for their temporary office needs.

County legislators on Tuesday voted 10-0 to allow the county attorney, manager and buildings and grounds supervisor to "proceed with negotiations" with Gibraltar Management Co., Tarrytown, which manages the Lowville Plaza on South State Street.

Getting formal legislative approval provides leeway to spend a little money for testing, if needed, at the former Kinney's, located in an 11,100-square-foot spot in the center of the plaza's main building, County Manager David H. Pendergast said after the meeting.

As part of the negotiating process, county officials may need to test the condition of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system and other systems in the long-vacant building, he said.

While court system offices will soon be moved from the current courthouse into the new facility being built behind it, the county is seeking temporary office space for remaining departments so the old building can be completely cleansed of asbestos and renovated.

County officials had planned to lease the former St. Peter's Catholic School, but the deal fell through.

Kinney's in September 2002 moved out of the plaza into a free-standing store, and the neighboring Ames Department Store closed the following month, leaving the P&C Foods store as the lone tenant in the main plaza building.

A few potential tenants were reportedly interested in leasing space over the years but were unable to successfully conclude negotiations with Gibraltar.

During privilege of the floor Thursday, Watson resident Janette M. Peek told legislators that Canton attorney Scott B. Goldie, representing a group of residents concerned about opening roads for all-terrain vehicle use, feels that the county's opening of roads for one-day special events does not comply with state Vehicle and Traffic Law.

In response, County Attorney Richard J. Graham said that he doesn't get into legal debates in a public forum. However, he stated that he has looked into the issue and disagrees with Mr. Goldie's interpretation of the law.

Legislators on Thursday evening also:

■ Approved labor contracts with unionized Sheriff's Department employees.

■ Declared a generic environmental impact statement on a countywide all-terrain vehicle trail system adequate for public review and set a public hearing on it for 7 p.m. June 5 in the second-floor courtroom.

■ Authorized contracts with RMSCO to handle claim administration for the county's self-insurance plan and HM Life Insurance to provide stop-loss coverage.