BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- Despite opposition and more than 45 minutes of debate, St. Lawrence County legislators advanced a resolution that could grant the governing body pay raises. 

The support was bi-partisan with Republicans split on the matter and the three Democrats on the board supported the measure. 

The vote was a 9-5-1 split, with Republicans Joe Lightfoot, David Forsythe, Bill Sheridan, Larry Denesha, Rick Perkins and Harry Smithers, along with Democrats Margaret Haggard, Nicole Terminelli and Anthony Levato. 

Voting against the measure were Republicans John Burke, Rita Curran, Jim Reagen, Glenn Webster and Allan Robinson. 

Abstaining was newly appointed District 13 Republican Terry Goodrich. 

Split vote surprise

Leading the opposition was Burke who opposed the resolution because it only included language regarding salaries and not benefits. 

Debate became heated at points, with Lightfoot demanding Burke retract statements he allegedly made regarding the potential raises. 

"I take offense, John, that you have the gall to accuse me and others on this board of trying to push something through so that our voters don't see what's going on," Lightfoot said. 

Burke declined to retract any statements, instead opting to clarify his point that the benefits package offered to legislators was "very generous" and should be considered as a whole as the committee is known as a compensation committee, not a salary committee.

"I'm not interested in retracting anything, Joe. What my point was, is the cost to taxpayers should be transparent. That's all I was saying," Burke said. 

He continued, saying he was not accusing anyone of wrongdoing but rather wanted all benefits laid out for the public. 

Burke said he was unable to support the resolution as it stood due to the omission of benefits. 

Many legislators debated the point, with the legislature largely split on the technicality of what the resolution specifically states versus those who felt the omission of healthcare should be corrected. 

Get what you give 

For Webster, he felt a raise was not necessary as the role is one of public service. 

"This really is a job that you get what you give," he said. 

Webster said legislators could do as much or as little as they wanted to.

He said it was not uncommon for him to be conducting work on behalf of the legislator anywhere from three to five days per week, traveling to Canton multiple times per day. 

Though he acknowledged not all legislators necessarily need to do as much, he said he felt it was his duty. 

"I don't feel comfortable giving myself a raise. If someone else governed us and could, then I would vote yes if they decided to," he said. 

Constituent concerns 

Terminelli, who voted in favor, said she did so in order to advance the resolution to allow public feedback. 

She said it was necessary for constituents to have a voice at the full board meeting, which is scheduled for Nov. 2. 

Terminelli said if the resolution failed in committee it would cut short that opportunity. 

But Webster raised a minor objection to the idea, saying local media had covered the topic extensively in the last week. 

"I don't know any constituents that aren't aware of this," he said. 

Webster criticized Democratic Party Chair Mike Zagrobelny, who spoke with North Country This Week recently to raise concerns over the possibility of raises and with information being leaked from executive session. 

Rising costs a concern 

Burke also spoke of his concerns about the budget, saying the county had spent "bucket loads" of money in 2026. 

He said the idea of giving raises without considering the cost of health benefits was a disservice to constituents who would be footing the bill. 

It was also a concern of District 8 Republican Allan Robinson who said he could not support the resolution in good conscience. 

Multiple legislators took exception with Burke's assertion that the figures were not clearly outlined in the county budget, however Terminelli noted all departments include the cost of health benefits, with the exception of legislators. 

Forsythe weighed-in, saying he took the health benefits when filing paperwork with Human Resources when he was first elected. 

"I wasn't even aware it was something available to us. I went to HR and when I was doing paperwork they asked me if I wanted to sign up, so I did," he said. 

How many receive benefits

Other legislators argued the inclusion of benefits was irrelevant, as not all legislators accept the benefits. 

Gouverneur Mayor Ron McDougall, who was one of the committee members, was recognized by Forsythe to allow him to address the board. 

In his remarks, McDougall said seven of the 15 legislators currently receive health benefits. 

McDougall said while that figure could change "possibly month-to-month," he did not know just what the financial impact would be. 

He followed up on Burke's point, noting that some costs could exceed the $25,000 figure floated during the meeting in the case of someone who may have a family plan with multiple dependents enrolled. 

"But again, that all could change quickly," he said. 

New blood needed

Denesha, who voted in favor, said it was time the county see new blood on the board. 

That can only happen if the position were made more attractive with a higher salary, he said. 

"This county should not see a board of senior citizens making and enacting laws for future generations," he said. 

Denesha said that in neighboring counties raises have been implemented more frequently, with St. Lawrence County seeing some of the lowest salaries of any. 

He said the county could use "some new blood" on the board, but with younger members of the county unable to take time off from work due to the demands of the job that could prove difficult. 

He said it was a matter of affordability for younger members, something that isn't possible as it stands. 

What's next

Legislators will now issue a final vote during the Nov. 2 Full Board meeting.

If passed, the raises would be effective at the start of the next term, which begins Jan. 1, 2027. 

Legislators would see an increase from $12,000 to $15,000 per year, while committee chairs would see an increase from $12,000 to $16,000. 

The vice chair would see an increase from $14,000 to $17,000 and the chair would see an increase from $17,000 to $20,000.