May 17MASSENA Whether to add fluoride to village water was an
unanswered question during Tuesdays Massena Village Board
meeting.
Trustee Kenneth J. McGowan said no, trustee Shelyn K. Peets said
she was on the fence, and Mayor Gregory M. Paquin said yes.
The debate came following a motion to approve bids for supplies
for the villages water treatment plant. The supplies included
diatomaceous earth, chlorine and hydrofluosilicic acid (HFS), which
is used for fluoridation.
Mr. McGowan said he would vote no if the HFS was included. Mr.
Paquin said hed vote no if it was taken out.
The end result the order of HFS was taken out, at least
temporarily until a state Department of Health representative could
brief the board on the pluses and minuses of fluoridation.
Mr. McGowan questioned the inclusion of HFS on the supply
list.
I had raised a question after our meeting last month why the
village is still putting fluoride in village water, he said.
He said he had shared information that indicated fluoride was
not necessary in the water.
Im not in favor of adding fluoride to the water. I think its an
outdated practice, Mr. McGowan said. Fluoride is really a medicine,
and why are we adding that to the water? You cant control the
dosage. I think in todays world most people take care for their own
dental issues. I dont think we should be putting fluoride in the
water, especially if its almost $60,000. I just dont think its the
right thing to do.
Mr. Paquin said he did a Google search and found that the
American Dental Association recommended fluoridation.
They mentioned that how many school hours are lost because of
disease, he said.
Theres two sides to the story, Mr. McGowan said. I know how I
brush my teeth and I dont swallow my toothpaste. I spit it out. Why
are we ingesting it?
Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty G. Miller said
there was a process that had to be followed if adding or removing
fluoride from the water.
Department of Health is a major player in this game. I know we
would have to notify the DOH. Theres a process that has to take
place, he said. The DOH would gladly come to a meeting and
basically have a conversation with the mayor and the board as to
why they feel its essential.
Mr. Miller said he would contact the Department of Health and
arrange for a representative to meet with the board at a future
meeting.
Mr. McGowan wondered how much of a supply was on hand.
We dont have a big supply on hand. We dont keep a big supply,
Mr. Miller said. Its delivered in cylinders. I havent got a big
stockpile of it. Its $22,364 for the...