By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- A proposition to pay for a housing discrimination assessment in the village narrowly passed the Board of Trustees on Tuesday.

The county Planning Office had requested the village spend $400 on the test, which would help them get Community Development Block Grant money.

“It helps us with our application process,” Mayor Tim Currier said.

The proposal passed 3-2, with trustees Tim Ahlfeld and Albert Deshaies voting no. Mayor Tim Currier cast the deciding vote, which he usually does only as a tiebreaker.

“I think it’s somebody looking for a problem that doesn’t exist,” Ahlfeld said. “Enough is enough with these people … they should do it for free.

He questioned if housing discrimination is a problem in the village.

“Is there a reason they’re doing this study? Have there been any practices of unfair housing?” Ahlfeld said.

No one answered his question.

For the study, the Planning Office has retained Fair Housing CNY. They will look for housing discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, disability or other criteria outlined in the federal Fair Housing Act.

The assessment will include “stakeholder discussions and interviews” and a written report, according to a letter from the Planning Office made public on Tuesday.