BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- The scale replacement at the Massena Transfer Station has been completed after a few minor setbacks in the process.

Work began on May 13 and was officially completed June 25, officials said. 

"As everyone probably knows, the existing scale at Massena was rotting out," Highway Superintendent Ryan Herron told legislators June 29. 

He said the project was completed by the Highway Department after no bids were received despite two Request For Proposals having been sent out. 

As part of the project, the department expanded the scaling area from 30 to 40 feet, removing a pier and end abutment and constructing entirely new piers and abutments. 

The total budget for the project was around $260,000, however Herron said the department came in well under budget. 

"We came in under budget. Not all of the invoices are in just yet but we had a budget of $260,000. Currently we're at about $215,000," he told legislators. 

Herron said the department was also able to complete some paving at the Massena Transfer Station as well. 

The cost of the scale replacement and paving will be billed to the Solid Waste Department, which functions as an enterprise fund, officials said. 

Legislator John Gennett complimented Herron and Highway Department staff, saying the work was "well done" and "functional." 

"Hopefully we can go forward and get some stuff figured out at the Ogdensburg transfer station too," he said. 

Work on the scales largely did not hamper the facility as those using the station were able to cross a secondary set of scales while work was completed. 

The Massena location is one that has been heavily scrutinized in recent months as a hauling trailer shortage and equipment failures mounted. 

Solid Waste Director Ellen Hooker addressed the issues with both the county and village of Massena earlier this summer, saying the Highway Department had secured five more trailers to haul waste to Rodman. 

One issue that was raised by legislators recently were the material handlers that were experiencing mechanical issues. 

Hooker said those pieces of equipment do not have replacement parts that are readily available. 

"The equipment onsite that moves solid waste, called the Builtrite, are prototypes and do not have replaceable parts readily available.  The County has been evaluating other options for equipment and design of the tip floors to compact solid waste & c&d (construction debris) into the trailers to prevent damage to the trailers," Hooker said. 

Hooker said replacement equipment has been purchased steadily over the last decade after a long period of deferred maintenance. 

Though the transfer stations have been in operation for over 30 years, much of the equipment that was originally installed is still in use. 

Legislators have said they will take steps to steadily upgrade the equipment as time goes on but noted the limitations of doing so with a department that works as an enterprise fund supported financially by the end user.