ROSSIE -- The Town of Rossie is getting $50,000 in state funding to help “much-needed improvements to its highway garage and offices,” according to Sen. Patty Ritchie’s office.

The town is using the funding secured by Senator Ritchie, R-Heuvelton, to upgrade the heating system in its highway garage, replace the garage doors, and help purchase and install a new petroleum tank and the concrete pad it sits on. In addition, the town is also using the funds to purchase a new box sand/salt spreader to help make roadways safer in the winter.

Town employees are handling all of the labor, except for the installation of the new heating system, which is being completed by M&M Heating and A/C of Gouverneur.

“No matter what mother nature throws at us, we want to be ready. These upgrades will allow us to not only better serve our residents, but allow them to not have to bear the brunt of the expenses,” Town of Rossie Highway Supervisor Alwin Fleming said in a prepared statement from the senator’s office. “We cannot thank Senator Ritchie enough for helping us with this project and for all of her support throughout the years.”

“In many small municipalities across our region, budgets are stretched thin and little is left to make important, much-needed repairs or to purchase equipment essential to the safety and well-being of residents or visitors,” Ritchie said in a prepared statement. “I am pleased that through this funding, the Town of Rossie is able to make upgrades to its highway garage, as well as obtain equipment that will help make travel safer for people during our region’s harsh winters.”