CHATEAUGAY — Assemblyman Michael Cashman held an open town hall at the Chateaugay Town Theater on Thursday evening for residents to share concerns as the 2026 legislative session begins.
During the hour-long forum, residents from Chateaugay and surrounding towns and villages addressed concerns about growing NYSEG electricity rates, the state of the rural health care system and staffing challenges rural schools are facing across the North Country, as well as correction facility closures.
“I want to carry the voices and concerns of all of you from the aspirations that call the North Country home. And our region does face real challenges — the rising costs, the strained aging infrastructure, the workforce shortages, housing pressures and the ongoing fight for fair recognition and investment from Albany,” Cashman said during his opening remarks.
To achieve meaningful progress, Cashman, a Democrat elected in November to represent New York’s 115th District, called for collaboration, persistence and coalition built on respect.
“I am committed to one thing: ensuring the North Country’s needs are seen, heard and understood,” he said at the podium.
Retired corrections employee Ellen Lennon expressed concerns about the closure of Bare Hill Correctional Facility in Malone.
“I think people should know what goes on in corrections because you put yourselves on the line everyday,” she said, emphasizing civilian employees’ roles in facilities where corrections officers are not present.
Town of Burke Supervisor Bill Wood discussed concerns about the NYSEG pilot program pricing in northern New York and the use of biosolvents in the region.
“I am a former dairy farmer. I have used some of that product on my own farm. Now that we know forever plastics are a part of this process, and its contaminating water systems and ponds and the soil,” he said at the mic, emphasizing residents are “clambering” for a moratorium on biosolvents.
Occupational therapist Dr. Maggie Deforge, from the St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, represented the Akwesasne Anti Circle. She addressed the ongoing investigation at the Salmon River Central School District of the mistreatment and malpractice against indigenous children at the school, along with other concerns with the school district’s state funding allocation.
“The acting superintendent put out a statement there’s an independent law firm doing the investigation, yet they won’t share the contact information for students to share stories with that independent investigator,” Deforge said.
The school instructs concerned families to submit a Dignity for All Students Act Incident Report Form to the school board.
Several other residents of the area approached the microphone to ask Cashman questions, to seek support and raise awareness for issues in their area.