BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — After serving multiple terms on the Massena Village Board, Francis Carvel has decided to run for an open Town Board position.

Carvel, who also retired as Superintendent of Public Works, is slated to run for a one-year unexpired town board seat that is being vacated by Tom Miller. Miller has decided to not seek the seat permanently after being appointed by outgoing Town Supervisor Steve O’Shaughnessy last November.

Carvel has served on the Village Board for 14 years and has two years remaining on his term. Village officials will need to appoint his successor if Carvel is elected to the Town Board.

Multiple calls to Carvel were not returned as of press time.

In his time on the board, Carvel has voiced concerns over some spending plans, attempting to be a fiscally conservative voice while championing infrastructure projects officials have deemed long overdue.

Many officials say Carvel could provide guidance to a relatively new board.

Deputy Supervisor Pat Facteau and Board Members Deb Willer and Adrian Taraska are all completing their first year as elected officials.

Carvel has said in the past that this will be his final time running for elected office.

Prior to running for office Carvel oversaw a number of infrastructure projects in Massena, ranging from water works, sewer works and various other infrastructure updates.

In recent months Carvel has championed a water line replacement project in hopes of saving taxpayers money long term.

The project, which would replace a water line that runs under the Raquette River, has long posed an issue for the village.

Earlier this summer the line had a leak that took nearly a week to locate and repair. According to Carvel, using a line that would run along the bridge would be the best long-term solution financially as well as for maintenance purposes.

Carvel has also been critical of the village’s decision to approve a school resource officer from the Massena Police Department, saying the extensive liability could end up costing tax-payers in the long run.

“In cases like this, we know it’s not the people with the deepest pockets who end up paying but the ones who assume the liability. We have five entities who are involved in this district but if something happens, Brasher, Norfolk, the town of Massena and Louisville will all get to walk away and we assume the liability for it,” Carvel previously said.

Carvel recently suggested contracting through the Sheriff’s Department to save money, however the measure was struck down. Amendments were added to the resolution to ensure the school district would cover the added costs of overtime and liability insurance, however.