BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – After tabling a resolution supporting the merger of the Canton and Potsdam Housing Authorities one week ago, the Canton Village Board officially supported a revised version of the merger at a special meeting held Wednesday night.

Village leaders acted on a reworded resolution that calls for continued representation on a merged Housing Authority Board.

At the board’s monthly meeting on March 20, Deputy Mayor Anna Sorensen and Trustee Barbara Beekman both expressed concerns about the village’s future involvement in the Housing Authority matters, prompting the board to table the resolution.

The board continues to be aware that municipal governments have no authority regarding the management and operation of housing authorities. The only input involves the mayor appointing people to serve on the board of directors.

“We addressed the concerns and made changes to the resolution that made board members more comfortable,” said Mayor Michael Dalton.

“I see this as an important move that will benefit both communities and provide more and better services,” the mayor added.

The wording changes added in the beginning of the adopted resolution read:

 “Whereas the Village of Canton wishes to see improved and expanded housing with the Village.”

“Whereas the Village of Canton expects that Village residents will continue to have representation on a merged Housing Authority Board.”

The final sentence in the resolution says “The said legislation is to be for such consideration, amounts, terms and conditions as the Village of Canton Board of Trustees deems advantageous to the Village of Canton and within the scope of the Board of Trustee Authority.”

The merger has now received support from both the Canton and Potsdam village boards, and both the Canton and Potsdam Housing Authority board of directors.

The proposed merger of the Canton and Potsdam Housing Authorities, along with the U.S. Housing and Urban Development regulations, forced Potsdam Housing Authority Executive Director Robet Santamoor to step down from the Canton Town Board. Santamoor has also entered into a management agreement with the Canton Housing Authority.

“Unfortunately, because of the requirements of my new position due to the anticipated merger and HUD regulations, I must resign my position as Town Council Member. There are additional programs and services that I will be responsible for through US HUD. With these latest programs I am prohibited from holding an elected office of any kind,” his resignation letter read.