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The Village of Massena Department of Public Works has a total of 41 dedicated
employees who are responsible to the success of our projects and the safety
of this community. We pride ourselves on the work and service we provide
our community, as well as our image.
Contact Information
Solid Waste Collection &
Recycling
Garden, Yard Waste &
Brush Collection
Street Cleaning/Snow &
Ice Control
Sewers
Water Distribution
Water Billing
Water Treatment Plant
Wastewater Treatment
Plant
Street Repairs & Projects
| Village of Massena Department of Public Works |
| phone |
315-769-6823 |
| fax |
315-769-5463 |
| email |
dpw@massenaworks.com |
| address |
85 Robinson Road , Massena, New York 13662 |
Office Hours: Summer 7:00 am – 3:00 pm (12:00 – 12:40 lunch)
All Other 7:00am – 4:00 pm (12:00 – 1:00 lunch)
Notification to and approval from the DPW is required for all activities
within street right of way. All utility placements shall be inspected
by the Village prior to any backfill. top
A. Refuse – All solid Wastes, including garbage and yard waste,
but not including human wastes.
B. Recyclable Refuse – Clean metal food containers (labels removed),
clean glass bottles (caps removed), dry newspaper, dry mixed papers and
plastic containers SPI numbers 1-7...
#1 PET Polyethylene terephthalate Polyester fibres, thermoformed sheet, strapping, and soft drink bottles
#2 HDPE High-density polyethylene Bottles, grocery bags, milk jugs, recycling bins, agricultural pipe, base cups, car stops, playground equipment, and plastic lumber.
#3 PVC or V Polyvinyl chloride Pipe, fencing, shower curtains, lawn chairs and non-food bottles.
#4 LDPE Low density polyethylene Plastic bags, 6 pack rings, various containers, dispensing bottles, wash bottles, tubing, and various molded laboratory equipment.
#5 PP Polypropylene Auto parts, industrial fibers, food containers, and dish ware.
#6 PS Polystyrene Desk accessories, cafeteria trays, plastic utensils, toys, video cassettes and cases, clamshell containers, packaging peanuts, and insulation board and other expanded polystyrene products (e.g., Styrofoam).
#7 OTHER or O Other plastics, including acrylic, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, fiberglass, nylon, polycarbonate, and polylactic acid Bottles, plastic lumber applications, Headlight lenses, and safety shields/glasses.
Refuse and Recyclables will be collected weekly.
Garbage, rubbish and recyclables:
- Must be placed at curbside prior to 6:00 am during allocated collection
days
- All refuse must be placed in clear plastic bags
- No more than five thirty-gallon containers of garbage and waste shall
be placed out for collection at any one time
- No item or container shall weigh more than 40 pounds
Unacceptable refuse during weekly collection:
- Any and all construction material
- Dangerous materials or substances, such as poisons, acids, caustics,
ashes, medical waste, hazardous waste and household sharps (Click Here for the Village of Massena's Ordinance regarding houselold sharps.)
- Solid waste from industrial process
- Large scale items such as furniture, rug mattresses and appliances
- Raw garbage not wrapped or not placed in a container such as a plastic
bag
Collection
All refuse and recyclables shall be collected weekly.
Cleanup Days
The Village of Massena offers spring cleanup to its residents.
- Days for each are set by the Superintendent of Public Works
- 2011 dates for cleanup are: May 2-6/ North of the Grasse River; May 9-13/ South of the Grasse River **CLICK HERE FOR A MAP**
- Cleanup items consist of large debris not collected during weekly pickup, such as appliances, mattresses, sofas... however, no construction debris is accepted. Various other items may be omitted due to abuse.
- Debris is not to be placed at curbside greater than three (3) days prior to scheduled collection.
- Please refer to appropriate Village code (Chapter 240, Solid Waste) for additional process and details.
- Streets will only be traversed once by the cleanup crews.
- Debris not collected by the Village of Massena shall be removed by the property owner from the curb line within 48 hours of cleanup completion. In the event debris is not removed, the Village will remove all items and assess a charge related to the collection and disposal of said items.
Service Charges
Each Family Unit $ 21.50 per month
Commercial Unit $ 21.50 per month
Recyclables Must Be:
- Separated from any refuse or waste placed for collection
- Place cans, bottles and crushed plastic containers in a "blue
box" or basket of similar size
- Cleaned thoroughly, paper labels removed from tin cans
- Remove caps from plastic containers
- (Click Here for Recycling Preparation Instructions)
- top
- Garden and yard waste shall be processed similar to refuse, in clear
plastic bags.
- Waste shall not be intermingled with household refuse.
- Brush, no more than one pickup truckload, shall be cut into manageable
lengths and placed butt end towards the roadway.
- Crews shall collect garden, yard waste and brush on a weekly basis.
- Residents have the opportunity to dispose of garden, yard waste and
brush themselves. Waste must be loaded on vehicle by resident and inspected
by the DPW prior to dumping. Contact 769-6823 for voucher.
- No commercial dumping of debris is allowed in this program. top
- Streets are swept and cleaned in the Village corporate limits beginning
in the spring and continuing throughout the summer.
- Snow and Ice control efforts are performed as required on a variable
basis. The Village’s effort includes plowing all streets and municipal
parking lots and applying a salt/sand mixture as well.
- Sidewalk snow removal is accomplished through the efforts of the
Public Works on main walks.
- Parking restrictions are strictly enforced to supplement these services. top
The Department of Public Works cleans storm sewers on an as needed basis.
Sanitary sewers are also cleaned as needed yet some areas receive monthly
cleaning. If a sewer problem is encountered, it is the responsibility
of the property owner to confirm the location of the problem within the
sewer lateral before contacting the Village for assistance. top
The water distribution program is to ensure that the water produced
by the Water Treatment Plant is delivered to all Village Water customers
without interruption, at appropriate pressure and is accurately measured
for billing purposes. For DPW emergency calls, before 7:00 am or after
4:00 pm, please contact the Massena Police Department at 769-3577. top
1. Where do I pay my water bill?
There are three options available to you for payment of your water bills.
The easiest and most convenient is the drop box located to the right of
the Town Hall steps. When using the box, make sure you are putting your
payment into the Village box so that the posting of your payment will
not be delayed. Payments put in the box on the due date will be credited
with that days date and will not be considered a late payment. We recommend
paying by check or money order when using this method pf payment. Anything
put in the box after 8:00 A.M. the day after the due date will be assessed
a late fee. This fee will not be removed. OR Payments by mail can be sent
to : Village of Massena, 60 Main Street, Room 10, Massena, NY 13662. We
use the actual postmark on your envelope for payment purposes. This is
a state regulation. If you want a receipt or you want to pay cash, water
bills are payable in person at NBT Bank, 264 Main Street, Massena. Bank
business hours are considered our business hours for payment purposes.
The Bank cannot answer questions about your bills. See question 2 below.
NBT BANK Massena
264 Main Street
Massena, NY 13662
(315) 764-1112
Lobby Hours 9:00 - 3:00 Monday through Wednesday
9:00 - 5:00 Thursday
9:00 - 6:00 Friday
9:00 - 12:00 Saturday
PAYMENTS ARE NOT ACCEPTED AT THE TOWN HALL OFFICE. Please
use one of the three methods described above.
2. What if I have a question about my bill?
All billing questions should be directed to Laura Gagne or Sylvia Cordwell
at 769-7052. You may also stop into the office at 60 Main Street, Room
10 with any inquiries.
3. Why did the meter reader leave a card?
Whenever there is a problem with your remote reader or meter, or for some
other reason we were not able to get a meter reading, the meter reader
will leave a card. Please follow through and call the D.P.W. at 769-6823
for an appointment so the problem can be fixed as soon as possible.
4. What if I want my water services turned on or off?
To have the water/sewer service shut off or turned back on at the curb
please call the Department of Public Works at 769-6823. The property owner
or a representative must be present when water is turned on or off. This
is the only way to test the shut off at the curb to make sure it is working
properly and that the water is really shut off. When water is turned back
on, it is a check to make sure that there are no leaks in the house that
could cause water damage or a large bill before the owner reoccupies.
Garbage charges can be discontinued under the following circumstances:
- You have hot water heat and you cannot shut your water off at the
curb. You have to go to the Water Department office at the Town Hall
and fill out the proper form
- If you are a commercial account and require or want to contract with
a private waste removal company
- If you own an apartment house with more than five units you may discontinue
village pickup and use a private waste removal company
5. Filling a swimming pool?
You may fill your pool with your garden hose. However – there will
not be any adjustment made for the metered sewer charge for that water.
If you would like an estimate of the charge for filling your pool with
your hose call Laura or Sylvia at 769-7052.You may also have the Fire
Department fill you pool. For information on this please call the Department
of Public Works at 769-6823 or see the Fire Department web page.
6. What if I had a leak?
If you had a leak beyond the meter you have to pay for all charges incurred
for the wasted water. No exceptions are made, as this would leave The
Village responsible for maintenance of private property. If the bill is
exceptionally high arrangements for a payment schedule may be made.
7. Can I pay ahead on my bill?
Yes you can. Just cross out the amount due on the bill and change it to
the amount you are paying. Even though you are paying ahead, you will
still receive a bill. Always check the amount due in the lower right hand
corner of the bill to see if you still have a credit balance. A credit
balance will be indicated by a small minus sign before the amount due.
8. Can I bill my tenants for their water bill?
The Water Department will always bill the property owner regardless of
the situation. Because unpaid water/sewer/refuse becomes a lien on the
actual parcel of property, the owner is always responsible for payment.
Any arrangements made with a tenant are strictly between landlord and
tenant. The Village cannot put the bill in a tenant’s name or mail
them the bill. top
The Village’s Water Treatment Plant is located at 357 Pontoon
Bridge Road. Built in 1963, it has a rated capacity of five million gallons
per day. The daily average production is currently one and one-half million
gallons per day. The system draws water from the Massena Intake through
a 24-inch raw water pipeline along the west bank of the Power Canal about
one mile to the treatment plant. It is filtered through diatomaceous earth
filters; chlorinated for disinfection; fluoridated for dental protection;
and zinc orthophosphate is added for corrosion control. Treated water
is pumped from an on-site 500,000 gallon clearwell storage tank into the
water distribution piping and elevated storage tanks on Bowers Street
and North Racquette River Road.
1. How often is our water checked for contaminates?
Daily. We sample and test the drinking water thousands of times per year.
We test for a wide range of possible contaminates. Any amounts over the
federal and state limits will be reported to you promptly, as required.
2. What is water hardness?
Water hardness is caused by two minerals, calcium and magnesium. The higher
the concentrations the "harder" the water. Hard water is difficult
to clean with as soaps and detergents do not suds well. While "soft"
water may make it difficult to rinse soaps away. Massena’s water
is in the middle range of hardness and generally does not need additional
treatment.
3. Why does my water sometimes turn slightly brown for a day
or two?
Brown water in our system usually comes from iron either in the pipes
that feed your home or business, or from your water heater. Whenever there
is a larger than normal use of water in your area – like a nearby
fire or leak, or when the water crew is flushing hydrants, your water
may stir up iron that has settled out and when it combines with air as
you use it, the normally colorless iron turns a reddish brown. While harmless
to use, it may stain laundry. We usually advise customers not to do laundry
for the short time you may be experiencing brown water.
4. Why does my drinking water sometimes look cloudy when first
taken from a faucet, and then it clears up?
This is caused by tiny air bubbles that get added to your water by the
aerator in your tap. It is similar to gas bubbles in beer or soft drink.
In a short time, the bubbles float and then disappear. This cloudiness
happens more often in the winter when your tap water is cold.
5. Could my drinking water transmit the AIDS virus?
There is absolutely no evidence that AIDS can be transmitted through drinking
water.
6. Where can I find out more information concerning Massena’s
drinking water?
Each year since 1997, the Village provides an annual report to the public
regarding many facts about its drinking water. You may see our most current
report here. (Hyperlink to "Annual Drinking Water Quality Report
for 2001") top
The Village’s Wastewater Treatment Plant is located at 302 East
Orvis Street. The recently upgraded facility is able to treat seven million
gallons per day of sanitary wastewater per day and additionally, up to
three and one-half million gallons per day of stormwater.
Originally built in 1959, the primary treatment plant was upgraded in
1980 and completely refurbished in 2000. The new secondary treatment plant
processes include preliminary screening, grit removal, activated biosolids
treatment utilizing contact-stabilization, final clarification and ultraviolet
disinfection. Biosolids are sent to a gravity belt thickener, anaerobic
digestion, belt filter pressed and transported to a nearby composting
facility for environmentally friendly reuse. Additionally, snowmelt and
stormwater flows are provided primary treatment including settling and
chlorination/dechlorination before combining with treated plant effluent,
which is discharged to the Grasse River.
1. What is wastewater?
Wastewater (sewage) is 99.9% water. The remaining 0.1% is made up of dissolved
and suspended solids. Sanitary wastewater comes from sinks, toilets, showers
and other discharges.
2. Why does wastewater need treatment?
Years ago, wastewater was dumped, without treatment, into rivers and streams;
there was enough dilution water to let nature absorb the waste material.
As communities grew, and industries sprang up, the concentrations and
types of wastes increased to a point where the natural ability of waterways
to clean themselves became overloaded. Also, many serious outbreaks of
communicable diseases have been traced to contamination of drinking water
from untreated wastewater discharges. A modern wastewater treatment plant
gives nature a helping hand at the purification process and helps to protect
downstream users from disease. top
Capital improvements to various roadways are performed by the DPW. See Capital Roadway Projects section for a list of capital projects for the current budget year. Maintenance (pothole patching) of roadways is a consistent and endless chore of activity.
DPW forces routinely repair streets. A newly acquired paving machine in 2007 will assist in paving our Village roads in an efficient and timely manner. top
During the winter season, the DPW establishes a work schedule which typically commences on or about December 1. This schedule ensures 24-hour coverage, 7 days a week for
the duration of the winter. Winter storm events dictate when streets
need to be cleaned. The most effective time to clean all Village roads
is at night. Therefore, the cooperation of the community is requested to park
vehicles in garages and driveways in lieu of the roadway. Furthermore,
this is in violation of local law and creates undue hardship for the Village
employee. All individuals plowing and/or cleaning driveways and sidewalks
with snowblowers, snowthrowers, shovels, plows or other, are not allowed
to place/discharge snow into any roadway. The hazards of this act can
cause injury and/or death. In addition, this is a violation of village
Ordinance 249-9B, any violators will be fined and prosecuted. top
The Village Board decided to include and maintain an additional $100,000 funding for the street program. This allows the Village to pave approximately 0.7 – 0.8 miles of roads in addition to the DPW’s normal funding and project schedule. See list below.
In addition to roadway projects, the DPW will begin replacing sewer lines that are in critical and detrimental condition. The approach must be more proactive than reactive at this point. Partial funding (+ $35,000) will be achieved from suspending the TV testing and sealing program which we have implemented into our annual budget. This type work will be pursued over the next several years until the most severely damaged lines have been replaced.
2011 - 2012 Projects:
- Beach Street (Ames – Stoughton)
Pine Street (Maple – Orchard)
Prospect Ave (Westwood – Andrew)
No. Clarkson (Andrew – Rosebriar)
Hospital Drive (Maple – Dead End)
Highland Ave (Clarkson – Coventry)
Washington St (Beach – Jefferson)
Woodlawn Ave (Ober – Willow)
top
NYS DOT is in the beginning phase of planning the replacement of the Parker Avenue Bridge (Rte 37B bridge) in Massena. The intent is to commence the project in the summer of 2013. Several options have been proposed and public meetings are now being conducted.
The Village of Massena is currently working on the engineering and planning of the Aluminum Trail. Unfortunately do to financial obligations, this project will be completed in two phases. In phase 1, the lion portion of this project is the replacement of the diamond steel deck with 10’ wide precast concrete panels on the footbridge. The remaining portion of phase 1 will consist of new sidewalks along a path from Richards Street to Owl Avenue. Phase 2, will consist of constructing a walking trail from Owl Avenue parallel to the “fireman’s trail” to the intake. This system will allow walkers to access the northern part of Massena while enjoying the scenic views of nature.
The water line crossing the Racquette River is nearing completion. Although, the project was anticipated to be complete in early 2010, the contractor experienced many problems. The contractor however never gave up and guarantees completion. This new line will allow the Village to supply fire protection to the South side of the river and ensure delivery of water without any potential of freezing. This project is a long time coming and will be a welcome when finished. We thank the community for inquiring of the progress and being patient for its completion.
top
Village of Massena Department of Public
Works - 85 Robinson Road - Massena, NY 13662 - 315.769.6823 - dpw@massenaworks.com
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