Mayor of Masséna seeks potential changes for village spring cleaning | St. Lawrence County
MASSENA — Could curbside pickup during the village’s spring cleaning be back?
Mayor Gregory M. Paquin said he would like to see him return, but not annually, to help those without trucks transport their items to the transfer station on Route 420.
“I know there’s a fear that we won’t do it like before. So, I was just thinking, and this is just food for thought, what if, like every three years, we did it the old-fashioned way to help people who just don’t have the trucks? Just a thought,” he told directors. “Maybe it’s something we can do while saving money.”
The village had changed spring cleaning in 2019, eliminating curbside pickup and requiring residents to bring their items directly to the transfer station. Vouchers were mailed to anyone who had an active residential waste account. Commercial accounts or residents not served by the village’s garbage collection program could not participate in spring cleaning.
Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty G. Miller said he’s fielded calls about this year’s spring cleaning from people who don’t have trucks and wonder how they’re supposed to deliver their items at the transfer station.
Deputy Mayor Matthew J. LeBire said the village council could meet with Mr. Miller and others to see if a periodic switch to the previous format is possible.
“The old method had its pros and cons. If you wish, we could discuss this with Marty and Nikki (Debien, DPW clerk) and anyone who needs to be there at this level and get back to you with our thoughts. Other ideas were tossed around every couple of years,” LeBire said.
“We can put together a full list of pros and cons so that when people call, we can sort of explain how it came to fruition,” administrator Christine M. Winston said.
Administrator Francis J. Carvel said he remembers what it was like when the items were picked up at the curb.
“Some of these houses, there was more stuff in front of them than you could fit in a house,” he said.
But, he suggested, trucks are now more readily available than before.
“There are more vans than cars. A friend of mine, I’m taking his stuff to the dump,” Mr Carvel said.
Mr. Paquin said that, for now, people who have trucks should consider helping others.
The spring cleaning of the village will take place from April 25 to May 7, while the cleaning of the town of Massena will take place from May 2 to 31.
Non-transferable vouchers are mailed to DPW customers, which will entitle the voucher holder to two trips within the two-week period. Hours are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Vouchers will be mailed to landlords, who will be responsible for providing them to their tenants.
No commercial or resident accounts not serviced by the Village Garbage Collection Program will be permitted.
Items brought to the transfer station must be covered or the owner will be charged a $15 fee.
Normal recycling items such as paper, cardboard, plastic bottles and containers and glass bottles are not accepted; textiles such as drapes, curtains and clothing; electronic devices such as televisions, radios, computers and monitors; construction debris such as wood, drywall, concrete, asphalt, toilets and sinks; and hazardous materials such as antifreeze, oils, paint thinners and degreasers. Anyone who brings these items will be denied access and will be required to forfeit the voucher.
Textiles in transparent plastic bags are accepted all year round at the transfer station.
During the village’s spring cleaning last year, 355 vouchers were used out of the approximately 4,314 that were mailed to residents. There were 1,178 trips to the transfer station during the cleanup period. The total weight for cleaning was 193.02 tons; disposal cost at $120 per tonne tipping fee was $23,162.40; the disposal cost of mattresses and box springs at $8 each was $2,216; incidentals such as postage, envelopes and paper were $2,472; DPW labor was $10,942.82; and DPW equipment was $314.64.
The total estimated cost was $39,110.86, compared to $43,637.15 in 2020.
Massena city council members have approved dates for the city’s spring cleaning of May 2-31. Town residents who live outside the village will receive vouchers to use the service. Vouchers must be presented at the transfer station and residents will be directed to the area where they can unload their items.
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