BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Village trustees have decided against increasing the allowable size of recycling bins used by village residents despite previously considering upping the allowable size to 45 gallons.

Trustees weighed in on potential code changes to the village's solid waste regulations, something village residents will be able to address during a public hearing on Oct. 15 at 5:30 p.m.

Mayor Greg Paquin previously suggested a change to the allowable size of garbage bins, however concerns about residents exceeding the 40 pound maximum allowable weight led trustees to pivot to recycling bin regulations.

Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty Miller also voiced concerns about the weight restrictions of garbage containers at a previous meeting.

In response, Paquin suggested the village consider increasing recycling bin sizes to 45 gallons.

Under the current village code, residents are allowed up to five 34-gallon containers of garbage, waste or recycling materials. No container is allowed to exceed 40 pounds.

“What I was thinking is, what about the recycling bins being able to go up to 45 gallons because it’s really just paper, tin cans, cardboard and stuff. The amount that you would have to stack in there would be astronomical, and I think that would be something that I think we can consider. It would be a lot more convenient I think for people,” Paquin previously said.  

But Trustee Ken McGowan suggested changing bin sizes may be detrimental to DPW workers, saying he spoke with a former DPW superintendent who cautioned against it.

McGowan commented that worker's compensation expenses due to injuries would be a concern for the village in the future, noting workers compensation expenses could rise due to injuries.

In the end, trustees opted to leave both garbage and recycling bins at 34 gallons despite some residents publicly stating they would like both increased.

“I could imagine people just overstuffing something that big and I started thinking Ken is right on that. I think it’s wise, as you said,” Paquin said of McGown’s comments.

The topic has been broached during multiple meetings this year after some residents complained of trash and recycling being left on pickup days.

Paquin and Miller both commented that crews were "tagging" some bins due to the size and weight of them.

Paquin said he himself was subject to it because he was using a 45 gallon bin and had been for some time.

Conversations between trustees and DPW staff soon followed, leading to the review of village code and a handful of suggested changes.

Residents will have an opportunity to weigh in on Oct. 15 at the beginning of the board's next regular meeting.