BY PAUL MITCHELLNorth Country This Week

CANTON – The seats at the Canton Town Board table are once again all occupied.

Wayne Cuthbert, a Democrat who ran in the November 23 town board election, was selected Thursday afternoon to fill the seat left by Robert Santamoor, who resigned from the board March 13. Cuthbert will serve the remainder of the year. The seat will be up for election this November.

"We appreciated the five individuals who showed initial interest in the open seat and wholeheartedly welcome Wayne to the town governance team. Wayne's interest in serving the people of Canton didn't stop after his campaign for the seat in 2023,” said Town Supervisor Mary Ann Ashley. “Wayne has also indicated that he will be running for election in November.  We know Wayne will bring another valuable perspective to the table with the best interests of taxpayers monies and support of town departments and shared services.”

For the past 30 years, Cuthbert has worked throughout the North Country as an electrician and held several leadership positions within the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Wayne has lived in Pyrites with his family since 2005. 

Santamoor’s position as executive director of the Potsdam Housing Authority and  managing the Canton Housing Authority forced himself to relinquish his town board seat.

Santamoor, Republican, was elected to a second four-year term in November 2023.

A merger of the two housing authorities is in the works.

“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,” said Santamoor in March.

The town board appointment was on Wednesday night’s monthly meeting agenda. The matter was brought into executive session with Ashley announcing the appointment Thursday.