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Massena residents can comment on garbage rate increase on Tuesday

Posted 1/16/23

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI North Country This Week MASSENA — Garbage rates are likely going up in the Village of Massena, but residents will have a chance to voice their concerns during a public hearing …

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Massena residents can comment on garbage rate increase on Tuesday

Posted

BY JEFF CHUDZINSKI
North Country This Week

MASSENA — Garbage rates are likely going up in the Village of Massena, but residents will have a chance to voice their concerns during a public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Village Trustees spoke to the issue during the board’s last meeting, highlighting the significant jump in fees.

As a result of the county charging a higher rate, the village is considering raising rates from $21.50 per month to $25 per month for each family unit or commercial unit, officials say.

According to Mayor Greg Paquin, the rate for solid waste disposal that the county charges is going up from $103 to $108 per ton, with the rate for recyclables going up from $30 to $45 per ton.

Paquin noted it was “quite a raise” and could prove costly for many families.

Though it was the county that raised the rate for the village, Department of Public Works Superintendent Marty Miller said the rate change ultimately starts with DANC who are charging the county a higher rate.

“DANC has come back to the county and raised the rates quite substantially, so obviously the county has to pass it on,” Miller told trustees.

Village officials say they have no other alternative than to likely raise the garbage and recycling rates to compensate.

Though it appears things are set in stone, Paquin did note that former DPW Superintendent Hassan Fayad had suggested years ago to truck the waste directly from the village to a transfer station in Westville.

That idea was shot down due to a clause in the contract with the county that requires the village to dispose of solid waste through the county’s systems.

Paquin said the village plans to address the situation with the county and will explore alternatives prior to the public hearing to see if there is a way to save residents money.

Miller informed the board that despite the good intentions of trucking the waste to Westville, the village has no way to actually get the waste to the station.

Miller said he has reached out to county and DANC officials regarding the rate raise, saying he wanted to have a definitive answer for residents as to why the rates have increased.

The public hearing is scheduled to begin just after the next meeting begins on Jan. 17 at 5:30 p.m. in the town hall building.