BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – With several grant opportunities looming, members of the Canton Town Board took a quick comprehensive look at “priorities” at the board’s monthly meeting Thursday evening.

The list voiced by board members included the Canton Pavilion, a proposed sand and salt storage building on Stiles Avenue, roads and the Canton Municipal Building.

Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley said she will continue to advocate for a new municipal building, constructed in 1964.

“It’s old and tired and does not meet our needs. We need a better work environment for our employees,” stated Ashley.

Councilman James T. Smith, always a proponent for new roads, voiced his displeasure with the condition of many town roads.

“For me it’s always roads. We need to do five miles of roads per year. Over the last few years we have been falling short of that,” said Smith. “Last year we did less than three miles. Good roads are good for business and housing. People like smooth roads. We need to get back to the five-mile mark and it would be nice to get to the six-mile mark.”

Councilman Bob Washo stressed the importance of completing an architectural study for the salt/sand structure.

“We need to get the architectural work done to include it with the grant application,” he stated.

Board member Martha Foley Smith pointed to the Canton Pavilion, citing a need for a “needs assessment.”

“We need to imagine a new future for the pavilion, maintenance and upkeep and broaden its use as a community resource.”

The town board has scheduled a joint meeting with the Canton Village board on May 26.