By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA — Village residents whose water laterals have frozen due to subzero temperatures may be eligible for a discount on their water bill to compensate for keeping their faucets running.

At Tuesday's vilage board meeting, Department of Public Works Superintendent Hassan Fayad said anyone who has a village water account and needs to run their faucet to keep pipes from freezing is required to call the DPW to determine if they are eligible for the discount.

“Our water department will investigate and determine where the problem may exist,” Fayad said. “If the problem is in the structure in the house itself, there will be no bill adjustment … however if the homeowner wishes to let the water run, it’s at their discretion.”

He said if the water department determines the problem is not with the lateral in the portion where the village is responsible, they will still advise the homeowner on how they can keep their pipes thawed.

“We have a handful of accounts that have frozen water laterals, or potential frozen laterals and some of them have called us and they have laterals that come through the floor or through the wall, and we tell them ot put a heater or a salamanader on it and it will run,” Fayad said, adding that they will not be charged for the inspection and advice.

“If the problem is in the lateral (main to structure), the owner will be directed by the DPW on a remedy which may be include but not [be] limited to, allowing water to run. Should this be the course of action, the bill will be adjusted. The adjustment will be the average of the two previous billing cycles,” according to a DPW document given to the press at the board meeting.

Fayad said those who run their water but do not talk to the DPW beforehand will have to pay their full bill.

People can contact the DPW at 315-769-6823 for more information.