BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Budget season is underway and the town of Massena is staring down a double digit tax rate increase, with residents in the village possibly seeing a 14% increase, while residents outside of the village would see a 16% increase. 

Town officials said they remain in the early stages of the process, with budget sessions planned to trim the budget down, however Supervisor Ray Lancto's budget narrative acknowledged the town would likely have to exceed the 2% tax cap. 

As it currently stands, residents inside the village with homes assessed at $90,000 would see a $0.92 increase per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $6.53 to $7.45 . 

That would equate to an additional $82.80 in taxes for  2027. 

Residents outside the village with homes assessed at $90,000 would see a $1.65 per $1,000 in assessed value increase for a rate of $9.66 per $1,000. 

That would equate to a $148.50 increase in taxes for 2027. 

Deputy Town Supervisor Sam Carbone cautioned residents in attendance that those figures are not final, however many cuts have already been made in recent years.
“There’s not much left to cut but we will work through each department and try to find ways to save to get those figures down,” he said. 

One major liability still on the books is the trailing liability from the sale of Massena Memorial Hospital in 2020, which saddled the town with more than $5 million in debt for a state pension repayment, along with roughly $1.7 million owed for the county’s Worker’s Compensation plan. 

Carbone was a member of the board then, at which time former Supervisor Steve O’Shaughnesy opted to use a large portion of fund balance to clear the Worker’s Compensation debt. 

Two years ago, under former Supervisor Sue Bellor, the town began repaying the state retirement debt to the tune of more than $330,000 per year. That trailing liability, coupled with rising costs and a stagnant tax base has placed the town in a tight spot, officials said. 

“Over the last ten years the town’s tax base has grown .44%. That’s zero point four four percent. That is not sustainable and without outside revenues the town may have to explore cutting services, which has been done before,” Carbone said. 

Carbone pointed to many failed projects in the last decade that could have expanded the town’s tax base but ultimately never came to fruition. 

“We have to be open to opportunities as they come to us and actively seek help,” he said. 

In Lancto’s tentative budget, he acknowledged the town must work closely together with county and state agencies to find new opportunities for the town. 

“In my opinion, we must be proactive to discuss, strategize and develop a cooperative plan with the St. Lawrence County Chamber, the St. Lawrence County IDA (Industrial Development Agency), the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and other local industry leaders for continued and potential marketing,” he wrote. 

Lancto said the town would also continue to promote tourism, along with the fishing industry that has taken root with support from professional tournaments like Major League Fishing.. 

Town officials have lobbied state lawmakers several years in a row to receive some form of assistance for the hospital debt, whether it comes in the form of debt forgiveness, more favorable bond terms or a combination of the two. Those efforts have failed to progress pasta committee reviews in the state Senate and Assembly despite support from North Country reps Dan Stec, Scott Gray, Ken Blankenbush and Mark Walczyk. 

Budget sessions are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, with reviews for the Assessor and Town Clerk departments, followed by a session on Thursday, October 22, 2026, covering the Highway Department, Airport, and Museum. 

The board will then review the Library, Justice, and Code Enforcement budgets on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.

 A public hearing on the preliminary budget is scheduled for Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 4:30 PM, which will be immediately followed by a work session to make any final adjustments before the formal budget adoption on Wednesday, November 18, 2026. 

A separate public hearing will be held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 4:30 PM to consider a local law overriding the state's 2% tax cap, which is normally a formality to allow the board to take the action if necessary.