BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI

North Country This Week

CANTON — St. Lawrence County and Cornell University appear poised to partner up for the Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Program.

During the St. Lawrence County Legislature’s operations committee meeting held Nov. 14, legislators approved a resolution that authorizes the chair to sign a contract with Cornell as part of the program.

The School of Industrial and Labor Relations Outreach Division at Cornell will provide training for contractors throughout the county who engage in lead abatement, however specific training is required for such a job.

“This is a resolution for an opportunity to get training for some contractors here in the county. This will hopefully increase the number of individuals that will be able to work on projects associated with the lead program,” County Planning Director Jason Pfotenhauer said during the meeting.

Officials say Cornell University’s school satisfies the requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Program.

All training will be conducted in person and will be potentially available for anywhere from nine to 16 trainees, with the cost of training and materials expected to cost $1,862 as outlined in the resolution. Travel costs will be in excess of the training and material costs but are not expected to exceed $1,200, according to officials.

Officials say the program provides grants through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), with a focus on removing lead paint from homes, especially those with children under the age of six.

Interested parties who wish to learn more about the program should call the North Country Housing Council at (315) 386-8576.