CARTHAGE — A decision by the state comptroller’s office to block pension benefits for local development corporation employees forced a reorganization of several LDCs and ended the job of John F. McHugh, who served as development coordinator for the Carthage Industrial Development Corporation and the Economic Development Corporation of Carthage.

However, the CIDC gave the village $300,000 to ensure continued community development for the next several years, and with the money the Village Board of Trustees hired Mr. McHugh at its July 16 meeting.

“It’s a winning situation for us,” village president G. Wayne McIlroy said. “John is a proven person. He has been here for 10 years. We are so happy to have John in the village office. I was afraid we would lose him. It is outstanding, in what is happening downtown. I look forward to working with him still.”

The CIDC will disburse the funds over the next three years, with lump payments of $100,000 within the next three months, $115,00 expended within 12 months and $85,000 in two years.

Mr. McHugh will keep his office in the village municipal building and continue the projects already in the works for the village.

He continues to see his goal as making Carthage a “community of choice” as was set forth years ago when the Fort Drum expansion began.

He will continue to oversee the Main Street program that will renovate downtown buildings and apartments over State Street businesses and continue the retro street lamps across the bridge. He will also continue to work through the Rural Area Restoration Program, which will see one downtown building rehabilitated. The housing stock grant to allow homeowners to improve their homes will continue with new applications available to residents in the surrounding towns and villages.

The new village planner also has his sights set on the Braman property and will seek ways to aid Carthage Area Hospital.

“The hospital is one our largest employers and deserves our attention,” Mr. McHugh said, adding he will be ready to aid other major businesses in the village.

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