BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA - Village officials named a fire chief and set two public hearings at the Jan. 19 meeting.

The Massena Volunteer Fire Department named Paul Brownell as the department’s chief, with Patrick O’Brien named as first assistant chief and Tom Miller being named second assistant chief.

“All three are very dedicated and hardworking individuals that have served the department and the village well over the years. Congratulations to all who were elected,” said Mayor Greg Paquin.

The village set a public hearing Feb. 15 at 5:30 p.m. to gather comments on a potential resolution to raise the property tax exemption for physically disabled individuals.

Officials voted during a board meeting held Jan. 18 to raise a similar threshold for senior citizens by $8,000, to the legal maximum of $29,000. Under the provision, qualifying seniors are eligible for a 50% exemption in property taxes.

Another hearing will be held immediately following at 5:31 p.m. for public comment regarding the Community Development Block Grant Program. The hearing is a requirement of the grant program.

Village officials also gave the go-ahead to Village Treasurer Kevin Felt to take action on erroneous assessments and taxes levied that amount to less than $2,500. The decision comes on a recommendation from the County Director of Real Property Taxes and will allow the village to more efficiently handle the issues. For amounts over $2,500, Felt said he would need approval from the village board, thus slowing progress on such cases.

Finally village officials unanimously approved a hold harmless agreement with the county for providing services to the village during a board meeting held Jan. 18. The agreement covers services shared by the county and village, including paving, shoulder widening, signage, road striping, blasting and other routine maintenance activities to the village.