POTSDAM — The village Board of Trustees was divided Monday night on how much to spend on renovating a civic center bathroom.

"In these hard times, it's hard to justify spending $46,000 total on a bathroom that's already functional," said Trustee Steven W. Yurgartis.

In her report to the board, Potsdam Public Library Director Patricia W. Musante said that James E. Sheehan Contracting Corp. estimated it would cost approximately $46,000 to renovate the downstairs men's room, which serves much of the civic center as well as the library next door.

"It's your building. It's your bathroom. You can do what you want with it," Ms. Musante said. "I just thought I'd give it a try."

With village support, she hoped to apply for a $23,000 state grant to fund half of the project, and proposed the municipality match the Friends of the Library's proposed donation of $11,500.

"I would vote for it in a heartbeat. It's an old, old facility down there," Deputy Mayor Ruth F. Garner said. "I want a nice bathroom."

"It's nice to have a fancy bathroom, but for $11,000 of taxpayer money?" Mr. Yurgartis responded, adding that the facility could likely be "spruced up" for far less than that.

Village Administrator Michael D. Weil said the men's room could be cheaply converted into a unisex bathroom by simply adding a sign and a lock on the door.

The library has proposed replacing the plumbing, lighting and tiles, and dividing the facility into two handicapped-accessible bathrooms for men and women. The bathroom currently has two sinks, two toilets and two urinals and does not have hot water.

Trustee Abigail D. Lee said there is a "huge spectrum" of how much or how little could be done to renovate the space. Trustee George F. Regan said he thought the village would get a "pretty good deal" in funding the project.

The decision came down to Mayor Reinhold J. Tischler, who seemed unwilling to take a side on whether the village should fund the bathroom project, simply saying that Ms. Musante should apply for the grant.

Mr. Weil pointed out that the village needed to indicate that it was willing to pay its portion, should the grant be awarded.

The resolution passed, 3-2, with Mr. Yurgartis and Mrs. Lee dissenting.

In other business, the board voted unanimously to approve a law that would do away with the $5 permit requirement for political yard signs. Residents now will be able to post their signs for 30 days without obtaining a permit or paying.