BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- The village of Massena Department of Public Works is moving to a Monday through Friday schedule, village officials say.

Mayor Greg Paquin informed the public of the change during the June 18 board meeting.

The change in schedule will begin July 3, with crews working Monday through Friday.

“Even though Wednesday is not a garbage day, that will be the primary day where they’re going out to pick up the waste batch, your grass clippings and things like that," Paquin said.

Paquin said the crew's hours will be from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., he said.

As for curbside pickup of long branches and grass clippings, Paquin said that pickup will begin in September as usual.

Branches, trimmings and clippings are picked up every April, May, September and October, village officials said.

Though the village code dictates the pickups, DPW Superintendent Marty Miller said he could authorize an emergency pickup if a larger scale weather event impacted a number of properties.

He said recent storms with high winds that took down tree limbs are a prime example of that.

Miller said that crews were making the rounds throughout the village to assist with cleanup following the recent storm, he said.

Others took it upon themselves to dispose of the limbs themselves, noting the gate at the DPW site on South Main Street remains open.

Cleanup for village residents will be a topic in the coming weeks, with the traditional spring cleanup moved to Aug. 19 to 31.

Residents will be able to take items to the county transfer station on State Highway 420 during normal hours of operation, village officials said.

Paquin reminded residents that the station is closed on Wednesdays, however.

To take part, residents must pick up a voucher from the DPW department between 10 a.m. to noon and 1-3 p.m. during weekdays in July.

“You have to be able to show proof of village residency, whether it be a water bill, tax bill or something,” Paquin added.

If an individual is unable to pick up a voucher during normal business hours, Paquin said they can call the department to arrange an alternative pick up.

This marks the second large change to spring cleanup in recent years after village officials opted to eliminate curbside pickup in 2019 in an effort to save money.

Village officials also opted last fall to implement paper bags for grass clipping pickups, with the requirement to switch being phased in this spring.

Officials have weighed possible zoning pickups or appointments to ease the process for village residents but nixed the idea after reviewing the possible cost.