Welcome back to view my 4th newsletter in my second year of quarterly updates for our Town of Massena’s Website!
Thank you to those who watch and keep up with our website, agendas and minutes and continue to let me know if any are lacking or what they want to search. It is appreciated and Jason works hard to help us get it right and up to date. I reach out to you to consider contacting me to be added to our waiting list for committees: Library, Museum, Massena Electric Dept., Planning, Zoning, Ethics, Joint Recreation, helping with the fishing tournaments.
The town through Barton & Loguidice was able to receive a large grant for a possible new water district along the South Racquette River Road. Nothing is quick and easy and therefore the company has been working on a long list of requirements to fulfill; with the establishment of a new water district, its design and their plan for construction, to name a few.
Having received a Federal Grant through C&S Engineers, the airport was shut down in July and early August to accommodate all aspects of rehabilitation of one runway. Boutique Airways had notified all travelers and did well to accommodate passengers.
Linda McQuinn secured two grants to support 5 fishing tournaments in 2023. We hope you had the opportunity to attend and or participate in any or all: the Big Bass Tour July 28-30, Toyota Series August 10-12, Phoenix BFL Sept. 9-10, Cashion Rods Sept. 30, and Big Bass Blowout October 7-8. Linda is also working on grants for other areas of infrastructure. Coming to the Massena Town Beach on August 19th for the Rockin’ the River Event was the performing group “Draw the Line”, the only tribute band endorsed by Aerosmith. We thank so much the following sponsors: North Country Colocation Services (NCCS), Airproducts, Northern Credit Union, Massena Savings & Loan, Patriot Paving, SeaComm Federal Credit Union, Hurlbut Contracting, Eylands, St. Lawrence Health, Liberty Utilities, H3Designs, Arconic, City Dawgz of NNY, and Jenna Decker. Jason Hendricks is already working on next year’s beach event and planning on implementing improvements as a follow-up to his survey completed by attendees.
Town board members and I have continued in this quarter with training and webinars through both the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) and the Association of Towns (AOT). I have attended webinars on: “Management’s Responsibility for Internal Controls” and “Fiscal Stress Monitoring System”.
Deputy Supervisor Pat Facteau and I have begun working on Multiyear Capital Planning with departments. This has been a challenge added to the inherited pension debt and zero cash balance.
Requests for proposals for an audit firm to begin work in 2024 on the 2023 audit were sent out and the Audit firm of Bowers CPAs & Advisors was selected.
The town board began work on revisions to the Procurement and Investment policies, as required by Auditors and OSC.
The Honorable Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Senator Dan Stec and Assemblyman Scott Gray stepped up to make announcements in the media against sending migrants to our airport. We first read articles from downstate newspapers that our airport was named by the NY City Mayor to send them here.
Following the necessary requirements and procedures for the building of the Massena Green hydrogen Facility Air Products, representatives for Air Products provided both in-person and virtual public hearings on July 12 at the Massena Town Hall. The Town and school district had to approve their proposal for a PILOT program (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) over a 20 -year period before the IDA (Industrial Development Agency) could proceed.
The new 2023 Handbook and was adopted and published for all town employees. A big thanks goes to the Ethics Board for their many months of work.
The Town Board recognized Director Elaine Dunne Thayer for serving as Director to our town library and welcomed new Director Krista Briggs. A reception for Krista was held on July 12th.
The retiree insurance committee consisting of council members and local retirees completed their research on an insurance plan that would support both retirees and the town. USI Insurance Services was approved.
The Celine G. Philibert Cultural Center and Town of Massena Museum received charitable contributions to help fund the new storage facility on town grounds by the museum. Grant writer Linda McQuinn was able to secure most of the funding. The Northern New York Community Foundation also awarded the Town $5,000 for the storage building. The building was purchased from Adirondack Storage. The town received reimbursement for the cost of the museum addition, originally awarded through a grant by the efforts of Senator Joe Griffo. There is a planned reception / open house to see the new addition which houses the hearse on November 4, from 1-4pm.
I continue to attend quarterly meetings with Arconic management and receive updates on the status of their company which has been taken over by Apollo Investments.
Annually the town employees need complete NYS Required Trainings; in July employees completed the new NYS Model Policy Training for Sexual Harassment Prevention, and employees are working on completion of training for Workplace Violence Prevention in October.
Website manager Jason Hendricks has updated several areas of our town and village’s website and we thank him for making continued improvements.
The Massena Chamber of Commerce has integrated into the St. Lawrence County Chamber and is advertising for a person to work in the office here in Massena.
Each year the supervisors of towns in NYS are required to write budget narratives to guide their budget planning sessions. I completed mine and thank the town’s bookkeeper/secretary and the town council for all the data.
Serving the Town of Massena for a Positive Future!
Supervisor Sue (Spadafore) Bellor