Robert Santamoor.

BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – Since  March 1, the Canton Housing Authority has been managed by Robert Santamoor, the executive director of the Potsdam Housing Authority.

The success associated with that move has launched an initiative to merge the two entities with hopes of offering additional housing opportunities for families in both communities. 

Santamoor addressed the Canton Village Board Wednesday night, seeking their blessings for the merger. He noted the Potsdam Housing Authority currently has a waiting list of 350 families.

“We are asking the Potsdam Village Board and Canton Village Board to pass a resolution for the merger that will keep both places running positively,” Santamoor said.

To date, both the Canton and Potsdam Housing Authority board of directors have supported the merger.

“It’s important to appreciate the assets of both the Canton and Potsdam Housing Authority,” said Keith Zimmerman, chair of the Canton Housing Authority board of directors. “The benefit would have a much better service model.”

 The Canton Housing Authority operation was in a state of disorganization for some time before falling under the leadership of the Potsdam Housing Authority.

Starting in Canton we hit the ground running by taking out the trash on day 1. We have taken over all plowing. We have repaired and paved the parking lot between 35 and 37 Riverside Drive. We have added a new camera system to Law Lane and provided access to the Canton Police Department,” noted Santamoor.

“Administratively, we have updated many policies and procedures, corrected issues with contracts and secured accounting services for the next three years, revamped staffing that makes the most of the operations, and opened the lines of communication with tenants which allows us to stay on track with concerns that may arise,” he continued.

Similar work has taken place in Potsdam.

“We have paved all of the walkways and fire lanes at Evergreen Park. We have updated an antiquated electrical system in two thirds of our buildings and are waiting on  grant to complete this project,” said Santamoor. 

There are 12 new L2 charging stations for community use at Midtown Apartments and the plumbing infrastructure has been updated.

The Potsdam Housing Authority will be submitting plans to the Potsdam Planning Board for the addition of 88 units, and other renovations, at Evergreen Park.

“This will open up additional opportunities for our growing waitlist in Potsdam,” he stated.

“As you can see we’ve managed to keep our eye on the prize at both locations. For this reason, both the Potsdam Housing Board and Canton Housing Board have agreed that it would be a very good partnership to merge under one leadership team and continue to improve both housing authorities,” continued Santamoor. “This in turn improves both communities.”

The merger is expected to be discussed at the village board’s next monthly meeting on March 20.

“There are a lot of good reasons for the merger but we all need to be comfortable,” said Mayor Michael Dalton.

If the merger takes place, both the Canton and Potsdam Housing Authority will dissolve and a new name will be created. A new board of directors will be named to oversee the operation.