BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- According to one Massena village trustee, village residents should be able to utilize the town of Massena's spring clean-up but a new policy put in place for this year has limited the service to only town residents outside of the village..

Village trustee Ken McGowan is questioning why, as a village resident who also pays town taxes, he is unable to participate in the cleanup.

"Do residents in the Town pay more on their taxes for this service or are Town residents within the Village paying for a service that we can't use," he questioned in an email that was sent to the entire town board. Also copied on the email were Village Trustee Shelyn Peets, Village Administrator Monique Chatland and news organizations.

Bellor responded shortly after, saying McGowan raised an "interesting question" that " brings to my own mind other questions on budget expenses both village and town."

Spring cleanup for the town and village has been a hotly contested topic, with the village opting to change cleanup days to August this year to offset the service from that of the town.

McGowan raised the question in an open board meeting months ago when it was pointed out that village residents pay the same tax rate on town and county taxes as that of town residents.

McGowan, along with other board members, suggested speaking with the town about participating in the town's spring clean-up program.

But according to Town Highway Superintendent Dylan Casselman, the cost is prohibitive to participation by village residents.

According to Casselman, changes at the county have increased expenses, and the town has opted for a town residents only approach.

For 2023, spring clean-up costs were $5,230.89 for 161 loads of garbage totaling 39.39 tons paid to the St. Lawrence County transfer station, Casselman said.

For advertising, $300 was paid, raising the total to $5,530.89.

Casselman said the whole process was completed with a voucher system that did not require town employees to work, which in turn eliminated overtime expenses that otherwise would have been incurred.

For 2024, Casselman said the town has budgeted $6,700 for spring clean-up. That entails a projection of 40 tons of garbage, similar to last year, but includes an increased cost per ton.

With the Development Authority of the North Country raising its rates, that in turn has raised the costs at the transfer station from $128 per ton in 2023 to $141 per ton in 2024, for a total expense of $5,640.

Advertising has also gone up to $455, Casselman said.

On top of those added costs, Casselman said new labor costs will also play a role. Eight employees will be needed for May 16 and 17 at a cost of $3,183.04, with eight more required to conduct seven hours of overtime work on Saturday, May 18. That expense is $2,387.28, he said.

Two dump trucks will be used to help sort recyclables and metal as well, which brings the projected total cost of spring clean-up for the town to $11,665.32, $4,965.32 over the budgeted amount, Casselman said.

Contrast that with the village, which saw 232.31 tons of garbage be disposed of in 2023.

The total cost, including employees, equipment, postage and other fees, was $49,490.61 at a rate of $128 per ton.

A total of 272 mattresses were disposed of at a cost of $9 each, with 1,434 vehicles going through the transfer station for spring clean-up.

According to Village Administrator Monique Chatland, spring clean-up days have undergone a number of changes since 1995, including the number of days per year, acceptable refuse items and the use of and eventual elimination of curb-side pickup.

"In 2019, the VOM (Village of Massena) changed from curb-side pick up to the voucher program. Each single family and multi-family dwelling, occupied exclusively for residential purposes by five or less families living separately are required to participate in (and are billed for) refuse collection by the Department of Public works. Therefore, each dwelling unit received a voucher allowing for two trips to the transfer station. Commercial properties were/are not able to utilize this service. If a property is vacant and/or the water is shut off, they do not receive a voucher either. Residents were/are allowed to bring a maximum of ½ ton of debris," Chatland wrote.

Another change occurred this year, as the village opted to not mail vouchers, instead requiring residents to pick them up at the Department of Public Works. Proof of residence is required, which will be confirmed with DPW staff, she said.

"We switched from spring to fall (to avoid missing “snow-birds” and allow more time for residents to gather their items in appropriate weather, etc.), the voucher will be for one ½ ton load of approved items (i.e. no tires, 1 set of box spring/mattress, etc.) and will only be providing 1-2 employees for assistance during those dates and times," Chatland wrote.

Though nothing is slated to change this year, it appears that village and town representatives will continue to have an open dialogue about the situation.

Town of Massena spring clean-up is scheduled for May 16 and 17 between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. and May 18 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Village residents will be able to participate in their own spring clean-up in the new date range between August 19 to 31. Cleanup will run from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday during those dates.