BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – There could be a parking problem this school year at Canton Central School.

At Wednesday night’s monthly village board meeting, Canton Police Chief James Santimaw informed the board that due to the major construction project underway, the school parking lot may be made available to school employees only.

Santimaw said the last time student parking was restricted, the parking pattern on both sides of the street on Farmer Street was a problem with numerous complaints lodged by area residents.

Mayor Michael Dalton there has been no official confirmation on the student parking issue but wanted the board to be aware it could happen.

One idea would be to allow parking on only one side of Farmer Street, said Dalton.

That move would require adopting a local law, preceded by a public hearing that has been scheduled for Sept. 27 at 6:15 p.m. at the Canton Municipal Building.

In related State Street matters, Village Superintendent Tim Bacon asked the public to be patient about the condition of a section of State Street from Riverside Drive to Court Street. That section was milled a few weeks ago and remains unpaved although work on the manholes is complete. The village is now waiting on the county who will do the paving work.

“We may have to wait to pave until after school starts,” noted Bacon.

Bacon and board members also voiced concerns about a scheduled delivery of construction materials for the Canton school project. The state Department of Transportation has approved a transportation route of State Street for an escorted 90-ton vehicle.

Bacon said whether the street is paved or not paved, the amount of weight will cause considerable damage. He has spoken with school officials about the village concerns. The mayor said he will be in contact with state DOT representatives to try to reroute the heavy transports via Rt. 310.