MASSENA -- While NY State remains on “PAUSE” and non-essential businesses must remain closed, Massena Mayor Timmy J. Currier has directed some essential services provided by the Village to resume.

“Keeping safety as our top priority, we are carefully returning workers to do the necessary work to prepare Massena for a phased reopening,” Currier said in a press release issued Friday.

The mayor said village employees are cautiously and strategically returning to work to provide services that have not been provided to village residents since March, when the pandemic began.

Employees returning to work are following proper protocols established by the CDC and NYS Department of Health, according to Courier.

The Department of Public Works, while staffed at 50%, have resumed picking up branches, chipping brush, sweeping streets and filling potholes.

Village residents will also be receiving a voucher for Spring Clean Up, which will be held June 15 – June 27 from 8 a.m. until 3 pm.

The mayor also reminded residents that, as was implemented last year, they are responsible for bringing their cleanup items directly to the St. Lawrence County Transfer Station themselves, as there will not be curbside pickup.

The employees at the Joint Recreation Commission have also returned to 50% staffing, finishing projects that had been abandoned and preparing the beach and parks to open, when allowed, the mayor said in the release.

Other essential services, such as water billing and collection, water line repairs, sewer line repairs and various other services have continued throughout the pandemic and will remain that way.

While some essential services are returning, Currier says it is important to remind everyone that they should continue to practice social distancing and follow the personal protection guidelines as provided by the CDC and Governor Cuomo’s executive order.

“A majority of your Village employees are essential workers and I am so proud of their dedicated work during this crisis! Even with all the safety protocols we put in place, there is still risk as essential services continued,” Mayor Currier said.

Help keep St. Lawrence County informed

Until now, advertising has provided the income to pay our news staff. But with a cutback in advertising due to the COVID-19 crisis, our ability to continue free news coverage is threatened.  Please donate to NorthCountryNow.com and North Country This Week so we can keep St. Lawrence County informed.  Thank you.