BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI 

North Country This Week 

MASSENA — Changes are potentially in store for the Massena Village Board of Trustees and Town Board as Francis Carvel is now slated to run for the town board.

Democrats held a caucus on July 25, nominating Carvel to fill a one-year unexpired town board seat.  

Carvel will look to replace Tom Miller, who has decided to not run for the seat this fall.

With the potential change, Carvel will vacate the village board with two years remaining on his four year term, forcing trustees to make an appointment to fill the spot.

Carvel has served on the village board for 14 years following his retirement as the Superintendent of the Department of Public Works.

Officials hope his work with DPW for many years and his 14 years of political experience will bolster the town board, which is largely composed of first time council members.

Currently sitting on the town board are Pat Facteau, Adrian Taraska and Debra Willer, all first-time council members, along with Tom Miller, who is in his second stint with the board. Supervisor Sue Bellor previously served over two years as a board member before winning election to her current post last fall.

Other nominations included those of current Mayor Greg Paquin for the same role, as well as Christine Winston, who is finishing out her first term and has sought re-election.

Current trustee Chad Simpson, who was appointed by Paquin upon his ascension to mayor, is seeking to fill an unexpired term.

New to the fold is Kenneth McGowan, who was nominated for a four year term.

Party officials chose not to nominate a candidate for a second unexpired term, currently held by Willer, on the town board.

Current Deputy Mayor Matt LeBire has decided to not run for re-election, having served on the board of trustees for multiple terms.