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Comments, concerns over decision to switch Canton town meetings from Thursday to Wednesday

Posted 1/18/22

BY PAUL MITCHELL North Country This Week CANTON – The switch from Thursday to Wednesday night meetings for the Canton Town Board didn’t come without comments and concerns at last week’s monthly …

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Comments, concerns over decision to switch Canton town meetings from Thursday to Wednesday

Posted

BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – The switch from Thursday to Wednesday night meetings for the Canton Town Board didn’t come without comments and concerns at last week’s monthly board meeting

Newly-elected Councilman John Taillon made the request at the board’s organizational meeting to shift the town’s monthly meetings to Wednesdays at 6 p.m.

Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley and Deputy Mayor Bob Washo pointed out that a shorter week preceding the meetings could affect financial reports from Gray & Gray CPAs, who handled the town’s books.

It was also noted that Canton Town Court takes place on Wednesday but Town Justice Michael Morgan told board members court is usually over by 6 p.m.

“We are typically done well before 6 p.m. But there’s no guarantee,” said Morgan.

Although numbers are low in town court due to the pandemic. Morgan said on a day with a large court docket, 120 to 130 people come through the courtroom.

There was also the issue of cleaning the courtroom and setting up for the town board meeting.

When asked, Town Clerk Heidi Smith said she preferred to meet on Wednesday.

“If there’s a problem we will come back to the board,” said Ashley.

Also on Thursday, town leaders agreed to scheduled dates for quarterly joint meetings with the village. Those meeting dates are Jan. 26, April 27, July 27, and Oct. 26.

The board also approved a charter communications agreement with Spectrum Northeast, LLC. The agreement is lowered from 10 years to eight years with a 5 percent franchise fee. The town has budgeted $50,000 for franchise tax.

The board also set the mileage allowance at the federal rate of 58.5 cents per mile.

Linda Casserly was reappointed Town Historian.

Smith and Ashley were appointed marriage officers.

Town Code Enforcement Officer Michael McQuade was appointed fire warden for the town; Eric Johnson for Pyrites.

Rob Liggio was named to the Canton Capital Resource Corporation board of directors.

Each board member was appointed to six committees. (T/V for joint committee)

Audit Committee: Bob Santamoor and James Smith on add months; Taillon and Washo on even months

Broadband: Taillon

Municipal Building: Ashley and Washo

Code/Planning/Solar: Smith and Washo

Economic Development T/V: Santamoor and Taillon

Highway: Smith and Washo

Insurance: Ashley and Smith

Justice: Santamoor and Taillon

Negotiations: Ashley and Smith

Policy: Ashley and Smith

Recreation T/V: Ashley and Taillon

Shared Services T/V: Ashley and Washo

Sustainability T/V: Santamoor

Technology/Communications T/V: Santamoor

Trails/Complete Streets T/V: Washo

Waterfront Advisory T/V: Santamoor