BY PAUL MITCHELL

North Country This Week

CANTON – What to do with $47,000? 

Town and village leaders addressed that question at a joint meeting on Wednesday night (July 27). The money has lingered in a Town of Canton account from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) housing funds from 2013. Upon investigation, there is little or no documentation of that account.

“When we discovered the money we met with the Housing Council director. They searched their records and couldn't find any record,” said Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley. “There are so many families in need. This money should benefit the public with housing needs.”

Discussion included giving the entire $47,000 to the St. Lawrence County Housing Council for their office to administer or dole out smaller amounts to people in need.

Canton’s Director of Economic Development Leigh Rodriguez said that file was probably destroyed when the Housing Council experienced a mold problem several years ago. Rodriguez suggested that if the money was given to the Housing Council, this money could be used to supplement an ongoing program or used for a matching grant.

“It could leverage with a program already going on,” she stated.

Another target area for the funds was the Community Development Program’s weatherization program.

The money is earmarked for low to moderate income families.

Councilmen Bob Santamoor and John Taillon will be contacting the Housing Council director for further guidance.