BY PAUL MITCHELL
North Country This Week

CANTON – After a lengthy discussion Wednesday night, members of both the town and village boards noted they have their work cut out for them in terms of matching “priorities” with funding opportunities.

Elected officials cited items such as water infrastructure, child care, housing, a salt and sand storage facility and broadband, to name a few, as priorities.

The focus of the joint meeting was to provide Canton’s Director of Economic Development Leigh Rodriguez with some direction in terms of pursuing funding sources for specific projects associated with the town and village’s wish lists.

“You need to decide how much you want to do and how much you want to take on as municipalities,” said Rodriguez. “If you want more projects and financially have the wherewithall, you need to decide. You need to pinpoint things and see if there’s a match or fit or other sources.”

The meeting concluded with both boards sending priority items back for committee review.

“We need to take this part of the conversation and fine tune it,” stated Trustee Carol Pynchon.

“We need to stay focused and get what needs to be done for these decisions. If we come away with a plan and the next step is for Leigh to write applications, I’m fine with it,” Rodriguez added.

One priority addressed in detail was the town’s plan to construct a new salt and sand storage facility on a parcel located off Stiles Avenue.

Councilman James Smith stressed the importance of this facility becoming a reality and invited the village to invest in the project.

“Before we get too deep into it, I would like to talk to the village to see if they are interested in this,” said Smith. “There will be plenty of room there. If they are, we need to be careful on how we design our own facility.”

“Nothing is off the table,” responded Mayor Michael Dalton.

The town has a commitment to acquire leased acreage from All States Asphalt, Inc., Sutherland, Mass. for the proposed storage facility. Michel’s Properties is currently utilizing that property. Michel's is expected to complete its New York Power Authority transmission line work in a year and a half.

“Let it be known this is a top priority for us and a timeline is important,” said Smith.

The town board approved the hiring of Brooks Washburn for architectural services for the salt and sand storage project at a cost of $7,744.

The village’s salt and sand storage is currently located adjacent to the village’s Department of Public Works building on Lincoln. By joining the town and relocating, it would open up an area near the Canton Pavilion and Bend in the River Park.

“I’d be interested in looking at that in terms of recreation and the potential down there in the Lincoln Street corridor,” said Pynchon.