HEUVELTON - The town of Oswegatchie is holding off on signing up with St. Lawrence County’s hazard mitigation plan until it makes sure it will cost the town nothing.

Meeting here Monday, board agreed to table participation in a federally-funded multijurisdictional hazard mitigation plan with the county. The town lawmakers want to be certain of something they were assured of last summer when they agreed with the plan in principal.

That it won’t cost the town and there are no hidden expenses.

“It won’t hurt to table it,” said board member Bruce O. LaRose.

The plan, which must be adopted next year, puts the county and its Office of Emergency Services in charge of a hazard mitigation plan that involves all the county’s municipalities.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency-approved program will allow the county to act on behalf of the municipalities who are limited in their capability to participate in developing a countywide plan to respond to the damage of disasters like floods and spills.

FEMA has awarded the county up to $75,000 for the plans and the county will have to come up with a $25,000 match. That will be provided through technical and planning services.

Oswegatchie and the rest of the county’s other towns, villages and city won’t be required to pay for the plan, but Mr. LaRose wants to be sure.

“Let’s not get on the hook for something we shouldn’t pay for,” he said.

In other business, Monday’s meeting was the last for Town Clerk Janet M. Wheater. She is retiring Dec. 21 after 21 years of service.

Mrs. Wheater will be replaced by Vicki Thornhill.

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