BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Massena village officials are weighing the pros and cons and placing yield signs around the Bridges Avenue and Elm Circle area to slow traffic after numerous complaints.

According to Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty Miller, he sat in the area for three consecutive days to assess the traffic flow.

Miller said the area is of concern and likely needs a few yield signs.

For Trustee Ken McGowan, he has seen first Hand why yield signs are necessary.

McGowan commented that he has new neighbors in the area, noting there are "a bunch of kids in the neighborhood now."

"It’s a raceway in the Ransom and Bridges area at certain times of the day, just like every street in the village," he said.

McGowan said he "gets it," but said there is a merge there that includes a village park.

He said his neighbor reached out to him to see if the police department and DPW could weigh in on the situation.

Though he wasn't sure if a yield sign would actually be effective given the traffic flow pattern, he did say something needs to be done.

"You go to Elm Circle and there's yield signs everywhere," he said.

Though nothing serious has occurred yet, McGowan said he is surprised given the existing concerns.

“We have a nice porch and we sit on it all summer. I’m just surprised there hasn’t been something,” he said.

This isn't the first time village officials have sought to curb speeding drivers in residential areas.

Officials also previously discussed putting a new stop sign on Liberty Ave. last year, which had been in discussion for several months. Officials said the sign would very likely slow traffic on a street that is described as “a runway” or “drag strip.”

According to Massena Police, the street is a known issue to the department, however patrol officers are not able to monitor the street 24/7.

Following discussion in early spring of 2023, officials moved forward with the plan and placed a stop sign on Liberty St. in an effort to make the residential area safer.

Officials said it had taken some time for drivers to catch on to the new sign but confirmed it has reduced speeding in the area.

In other action, village trustees discussed possibly selling a parcel located at 56 1/2 Main St., which currently sits vacant.

According to Village Administrator Monique Chatland, the parcel is a non-buildable vacant lot that was assessed at $7,400. Given that village law states the government must sell property for "fair and adequate consideration," the village plans to move forward with a purchase offer of $2,530.

Chatland said she reached out to the assessor to give the parcel a second look since it was assessed at $7,400 since 2007, at which time the assessor determined the offer to be fair.

“If the assessor says that’s a good price, she’s the expert,” McGowan said.

Chatland said if the sale were to go through, it would eventually save the village money in maintenance costs while also putting the parcel back on the tax rolls.