BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – A Methadone clinic in Canton? That’s news to the Canton Village Board.

It appears St. Lawrence County has endorsed the opening of said clinic, possibly sited at the Human Services Building on Rt. 310. But according to village officials, they know little about it.

“We need more information. We have a lot of questions. My goal tonight is to make this public,” said Mayor Michael Dalton. “If things go sideways, what will happen? We have concerns about what could happen in our community.”

County Legislator Dan Fay, who represents the village, chimed in at Wednesday night’s monthly meeting, telling board members that from what he understands, the clinic is a “done deal” but there has yet to be a definitive location.

Fay also stated that he was shocked when he was told the village has had little or no input in the Methadone clinic plans.

“You have to have community input,” he said.

“I know the board has concerns and the chief of police [James Santimaw] and EMT is concerned,” stated Dalton.

Trustee Beth Larrabee asked Fay about the county's stance on the clinic.

“”The county is going to do it, but it’s not a done deal on the location,” responded Fay.

“It’s critical we have a voice and let the public know. It’s nice to know the location is not a done deal,” Larrabee stated.

The mayor said he will be contacting the county’s community services director and County Administrator Ruth Doyle.

“We will be moving forward on getting some answers,” said Dalton. “We have concerns about the safety of our community.”