BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Village Board Members had a spirited debate about the merits of adding fluoride to the village water source.

Officials offered opinions back and forth after a resolution to purchase diatomaceous earth, chlorine and hydrofluosilicic acid (HFS) was brought forth.

After much back and forth, officials removed HFS from the order until Department of Health representatives could offer an opinion to the board regarding the safety of HFS.

Trustee Ken McGowan had said he was a no vote if HFS was included in the order, while Mayor Greg Paquin said he would opt to vote no if it was removed.

“I’m voting no on this because studies have shown that it’s beneficial. Seventy-five percent of all communities do this. It’s not harmful. It doesn’t poison the body,” Paquin said.

McGowan said he had raised the question after a meeting last month, questioning why the village was putting fluoride in village water.

According to McGowan, he shared information that detailed why fluoride was not needed in village water.

“I’m not in favor of adding fluoride to the water. I think it’s an outdated practice. Fluoride is really a medicine and why are we adding that to the water? You can’t control the dosage. I think in today’s world most people take care for their own dental issues. I don’t think we should be putting fluoride in the water, especially if it’s almost $60,000. I just don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” McGowan said.

Despite McGowan’s objection to the practice, Paquin said he had done research that showed the American Dental Association recommended adding fluoride, saying that the inclusion of fluoride could limit the number of school hours lost because of disease.

McGowan pushed back on the notion, saying he felt it was unnecessary.

“I know how I brush my teeth and I don’t swallow my toothpaste. I spit it out. Why are we ingesting it,” McGowan asked.

To complicate matters slightly, Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty Miller said there are specific processes required if village officials opted to add or remove fluoride from the water.

followed if adding or removing fluoride from the water.

“Department of Health is a major player in this game. I know we would have to notify the DOH. There’s a process that has to take place,” he said

Miller said the DOH would gladly attend a meeting with the village board to discuss the merits of including fluoride in the water. Miller said he would initiate contact with the DOH to have a meeting in the near future.

As to the supplies on hand, Miller said the village does not keep a big supply on hand.

“It’s delivered in cylinders. I haven’t got a big stockpile of it. It’s $22,364 for the year,” Miller said.

After all was said and done, the village board agreed to accept bids for the diatomaceous earth and chlorine. Miller told board members both were required for the operation of the plant.