By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Mayor Tim Currier is considering writing a local “zombie property” law if a state proposal is not enacted

“Zombie properties” are held by banks but not brought up to code. Until the property is officially foreclosed, they can skirt code laws.

There are 232 vacant properties in Massena, many of which are foreclosed and owned by various financial institutions, Currier reported at the board’s Sept. 1 meeting.

In Albany, the Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act has been stuck in Assembly and Senate committees.

“If the state’s not going to pass the zombie law, can we pass our own version?” Currier inquired Tuesday.

Trustee Matt Lebire, who is on the village Code Committee, said they and the code office are looking at a potential local solution.

“The last thing we want is a resident who’s got a vacant property … and doing what they should do and then we harm them,” Lebire said.