By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- The town is trying to settle an issue with the Transportation Safety Administration over their use of office space at Massena International Airport.

They lease 280 square feet of office space for about $6,000 per year, but restrict use of about 1,600 square feet of space in the building due to safety concerns, Highway Superintendent Frank Diagostino said.

Councilman Samuel Carbone said the 1,600 square feet is worth about $35,000 annually.

Diagostino said the restricted space includes things like their x-ray equipment, metal detectors and other security-related items.

“In order to be in that (restricted space), you need to be carded and fingerprinted. If (Councilman) Steve (O’Shaughnessy) wanted to go in there, I would have to be with him since he isn’t carded,” he said.

The highway chief also said the TSA’s demands are increasing.

“Their housekeeping standards have significantly increased,” he said, adding that inspectors tell them they have to pay for things like carpet cleaning more often than they normally would do.

“We get a letter saying we have to,” he said.

Town Supervisor Joseph Gray said the town should just ignore them.

“What are they going to do, leave?” Gray said.

He said he spoke with the federal General Services Administration, and an official told them they are amending some contracts to include paying for restricted space.

“If you (TSA) really, really want the lease, what can you really, really do for us?” Gray said.

He said officials told him the board would have to ratify a new lease, which is now expired, under old conditions and they may be able to get it amended.

“We need to find out why they need a lease to negotiate a new lease,” Councilman Samuel Carbone said.

The board voted to table taking action until August.

“We feel as a board we need to have … questions answered to proceed,” Councilman Albert Nicola said.