To the Editor:

With the recent drama surrounding the Massena Public Library, more ears have been tuning into the decisions being made regarding this important public building. Recent votes on budgeting, along with Massena town board meetings, have left me, a resident of Massena, quite concerned.

The highly contested board vote on the motion to increase the Library board by two members raises concerns about the effectiveness and integrity of the Massena town board. Despite being presented with factual evidence that their vote on increasing Library board members would be illegal, they shrugged it off and voted on the motion anyway. Without the intervention of concerned citizens and Library board members at the meeting, this issue would never have come to light.

My main concern is this: if they are passing such motions without checking their legality, what else might this board be pushing through without verifying legality, codes, or existing laws? I believe all residents of Massena should take notice and consider attending more town board meetings. I myself watched the recording available on YouTube but will be taking more notice going forward.

What exactly are they passing without a second thought? Are they actually utilizing the town attorney that our tax dollars pay for? Is leadership running these meetings properly so that all motions are vetted and checked before being voted on? A lot of questions stem from simply listening to one board meeting.

James Blake
Massena