Tupper Lake village board trustees sworn in
TUPPER LAKE — Village board Trustees Clint Hollingsworth and Jason McClain were sworn in for third and first terms on the board, respectively, on Tuesday before the village’s annual organizational meeting.
Mayor Paul Maroun said the meeting on Tuesday would likely be the shortest one McClain would attend. It was done in less than 10 minutes.
The board approved the departments each trustee will oversee and appointed village employees.
A separate resolution for village public health officer was voted on, with McClain abstaining, as his wife April McClain was appointed to the position for the 2020-21 year. Maroun said this would constitute a conflict of interest otherwise.
“We’ll vote independently on that just so Jason doesn’t go to jail on his first night as a trustee,” Maroun said with a laugh.
The only differences in department oversight is that Jason McClain will oversee the fire department, taking over the position from now-former Trustee David “Haji” Maroun, and LaScala will oversee both the water and sewer department and the Municipal Park, as he has been involved in the River Pigs professional baseball team which is scheduled to play there starting next summer.
Jason McClain thanked the residents who voted for him and said he hopes to represent them well, adding that he wants people to come to him with concerns they want addressed.
Paul Maroun said he knows Jason McClain will do a good job.
Hollingsworth, who was reelected for a third term this year, also had a message for the village.
“In the spirit of Christmas this year, because of the restraints on our livelihoods lately, I’d like to encourage the members of our community to be a little extra festive this year,” he said.
He asked home and business owners to set out Christmas lights — “just a little something to bring a little Christmas cheer,” he said.
“And shop local,” he added.
Jason said he likes that Tupper Lake Chamber of Commerce Event Coordinator Christine Marquis has organized a Christmas light competition for storefronts on Park Street and in the Junction neighborhood.