BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON - With a new board in place after a nearly six-month hiatus, the Canton Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will convene tonight, May 25, at 7:30 p.m. in the boardroom of 37 Riverside Drive.

“I’ve just been waiting for a new board to be appointed. I can’t do this without a board. I’m happy for this new beginning and from the board members I know, they are going to be excellent,” said Amanda St. Marie, executive director. “I am so looking forward to getting back to normal.”

Four of five new board members were appointed May 19 by the Canton Village Board. They are Keith Zimmerman, Desiree LeBoeuf, Breyne Moskowitz and Tricia Pethic.

The search is out for a fifth board member. Down the road, two tenants will join the board following an election-type process.

Housing Authority management has been under fire with some senior residents approaching the village board in April to complain about poor conditions and lack of attention by Housing Authority officials.

“Some residents at the Housing Authority came to the village board with concerns about some things that were occurring,” said Mayor Michael Dalton. “This publicity made a difference in helping us find good people to step up to serve on the board. We are still looking for a fifth person.”

St. Marie has stated that even with Covid-related challenges in the facilities, she and her office have been available to residents. She also noted that staffing changes, along with abiding to Covid protocol, added to the challenge.