BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- The Massena Village Board will likely set a public hearing to weigh changes to the solid waste program in the village when they meet again tonight at 5:30 p.m.

Discussions have been had during recent meetings as village officials make changes to the program to potentially change allowable sizes for garbage and recycling cans.

Most recently, officials suggested increasing the overall size from the current 34 gallon regulation to possibly 45 gallons with a maximum weight of 40 pounds.

Concerns arose last month as trustees said the weight limit would more than likely be exceeded with garbage containers. In response, they pivoted to possibly upping the size of recyclable containers to 45 gallons.

Officials have sought ways to save money in recent months as expenses continue to rise for all trash haulers throughout the county.

St. Lawrence County Deputy Director of Solid Waste Ellen Hooker attended the Aug. 20 board meeting, confirming that rates were going up due to the Development Authority of New York (DANC) changing regulations.

Hooker said the county Solid Waste Department typically tries to adjust pricing just once per year, though Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty Miller commented that two price changes occurred last year in October and January 2024.

Despite the January increase, an additional increase by DANC is slated to come in 2025.

Hooker suggested the village should finalize regulations by the end of the year to ensure that all trash haulers are up to date with the new regulations coming in the near future.

Hooker said the Department of Environmental Conservation law regarding solid waste and recycling places a greater emphasis on ensuring recyclables are not placed in solid waste bins.

“What’s coming down the pipeline for DANC under the DEC law is that they can actually start harping on us and start fining us in regards to the type of materials that are being hauled there. Therefore, it all comes back to where the source is, and it all comes back to the residents, and it comes back to businesses and our schools. We’re asking for everybody to do their part in trying to keep the recyclables separate," she said.

Hooker said plastics, cardboard, glass bottles and new metals should not be in solid waste containers.

She also suggested residents try to clean recyclable materials before tossing them out because contaminated materials can lead to fines and charges for the county once the waste goes to the landfill in Rodman.

“Once they’re considered contaminated, then they can kind of come back and charge us. Therefore, by getting us charged, it just means eventually the prices need to be raised up even higher than we already want,” Hooker said.

Another concern raised during the Aug. 20 meeting was the impact the changes would have on private trash haulers.

Hooker confirmed a letter from DANC was being sent to all haulers to clarify the new regulations while also confirming items would be inspected by DANC, county employees or DEC to ensure items are separated properly. If they are not, haulers will face having items rejected and can be fined, she said.

Hooker said the new regulations are another step by DEC officials to protect the environment while also eliminating recyclables that should not be in a landfill.

Village officials meeting tonight at 5:30 p.m. in room 30 at the Massena Town Hall to potentially discuss new regulations and to set a public hearing that will likely be scheduled for October 15.