BY ANDY GARDNER
North Country This Week

MASSENA -- The deputy mayor says local talks on handling the COVID-19 pandemic have included DPW worker safety and he's confident they will be protected on the job.

Deputy Mayor Matt Lebire said the village board, mayor, and department heads have been meeting regularly to plan for the coming months, in case the pandemic threat continues through the summer.

"We're actually planning three months out," he said. "Better to plan long term than be caught off guard."

"We have a very solid plan in terms of essential services, public safety," Lebire said, adding that their plans include police, fire, wastewater and refuse services, along with others people in the village depend on.

He said garbage collectors are already taking safety precautions and will continue to use personal protective equipment and follow safety protocols.

"It's an obvious area of concern. We're very confident they'll still be able to safely collect," according to Lebire.

In addition to that, they are planning in case the pandemic continues until when Department of Public Works road crews would normally be doing road work.

"We're looking at ways to reorganize the crews," Lebire said, noting that outdoor work "allows for social distancing."

"That generally doesn't go into full gear until May anyways," he said.