Canton Town Board
Three-Year Progress & Reform
It is said that “all politics is local,” and Canton’s Town Board has demonstrated that convincingly over the last three-plus years. After decades of closed-door governance and questionable financial decision making, the Town Board has opened the books on the Town’s finances, gaining control and providing full transparency. They have engaged with the Village Board on shared initiatives and have welcomed public input and participation from the community. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that the interests of Town residents are heard and that all aspects of Town government operate smoothly and openly in the best interests of all who live, work, study, and play in Canton.
Following is a snapshot of the Town Board’s reforms and accomplishments over the last term:
Financial Management
Human Resources
Shared Services
Legislation
Planning & Grants
Following is a snapshot of the Town Board’s reforms and accomplishments over the last term:
Financial Management
- Managed $2.8 million municipal operation
- Secured all Town financial and personnel documents and established internal legal and financial systems and structures
- Created and enhanced internal auditing processes; addressed issues with and completed NYS Comptroller’s Audit
- Enhanced department budget development process; included board in deliberations; increased department budget allocations
- Remained under NYS mandated tax cap; increased fund balance by 25%
- Navigated the COVID-19 pandemic with no layoffs, loss of services or loss of benefits
Human Resources
- Streamlined human resources systems and structures
- Negotiated four-year CSEA contract
- Increased Code Enforcement to full-time position
- Created and enhanced employee time accrual accountability and documentation
- Increased employee and retiree health insurance contributions
- Managed 12 full-time and 14 part-time Town employees, including payroll and benefits administration
- Made bipartisan appointments to elected positions, boards, and committees, including Canton Capital Resource Corporation, Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, and Board of Assessment Review
Shared Services
- Updated Shared Service Agreements with the Village, including Assessor, Economic Development, Courts, Historian, and Municipal Building
- Established joint Town/Village Communications & Technology Committee to address municipal technology needs and advances
- Maintained shared service agreements with Town of Russell, St. Lawrence County Highway Department, and County Health Department
- Continued participation and collaboration on joint Town/Village committees, including Economic Development, Recreation, Communications & Technology, and T/V Leadership, and community committees including Sustainability, Trails/Complete Streets, Waterfront Advisory
Legislation
- Updated Town Ethics Law and created joint Village/Town Ethics Board
- Passed Solar Energy and Energy Battery Law to protect landowners
Planning & Grants
- With substantial community engagement, in collaboration with the villages of Canton and Rensselaer Falls, developed and passed first Comprehensive Plan since 1976
- Contracted for development of Master Trails Plan, Blueway Marketing Plan, Oswegatchie River Plan
- Prepared for community and utility scale solar projects; participated in relicensing for Pyrites hydro project
- Participated with Village in community-wide “Reimagining Canton Recreation” process
- Completed Pyrites boat launch project/grant
- Applied for and received $500,000 grant for Miner Street Safety Connector and Island Park improvements
- With Village, facilitated municipal building study
- Secured a lease-to-own property on Stiles Ave for future municipal use
