By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- Mayor Tim Currier says the percentage of waste recycled for last month exceeded his goal.

He said 26 percent of trash was recycled, slightly ahead of his 25-percent goal. That’s up from 16 percent in October 2014.

“I congratulate and thank citizens for cooperating,” Currier said. “I know we’ve had some growing pains.”

In July, the Department of Public Works started enforcing stricter recycling regulations with no public notice. It sparked outrage, as many people throughout town had their garbage tagged and left in front of their homes with little explanation.

It was later revealed that St. Lawrence County, which disposes of Massena’s garbage, said the municipality had to do a better job of sorting recyclables and refuse or face fines.

One man’s outrage led him to leave his tagged garbage bags on the DPW clerk’s desk in protest.

On Aug. 10, Gary McKeeman, 58, brought two bags of garbage into the DPW office and threw them on clerk Josie Hardy’s desk. He was upset because garbage collectors had tagged and left them at the curbside because recyclables were mixed with refuse. He left the office and didn’t pick up the bags after hearing Fayad’s voice. He was charged with unlawful dumping. He later pleaded to the offense in Massena Village Court and paid a small fine.

In light of the incident, the village board in early October voted to spend $7,640 to upgrade security at the DPW building. The upgrades will make it so non-employees speak to the clerk through glass and are buzzed in.