By ANDY GARDNER

MASSENA -- It appears no one knows who built decrepit signs welcoming visitors to town on routes 420 and 37, but the town is moving forward with demolishing and replacing them.

Councilor Melanie Cunningham at Wednesday's Town Council meeting said she worked with the chamber to find out anything about them.

"I have worked with the chambers on this. They have no back information on it. Nobody seems to know when, who put them up or nothing. They do need to be replaced. Working with the chambers, they'd like to move forward," Cunningham said. "All the entities that have signs on there ... none of them knows who put the signs on there."

She was referring to local service organizations that have their logos affixed to the signs.

Highway Superintendent Frank Diagostino said he noticed a tag on them that says "New York Signs." A Google search turned up a New York City-based company of the same name that says they have been operating for 90 years, but it's not clear if they are the same entity.

"My belief is the chamber initiated this a long time ago ... I believe Larry Prashaw built them," Councilor Sam Carbone said.

He said he also wants to have letters from the Chamber of Commerce on file saying they have no interest in the decaying signs.

Carbone added that he'd like to see new signs in better locations, such as closer to the international bridge.

Cunningham suggested the look at seeking grant funding for digital signs.