At a lightly attended post-holiday meeting, the North End Chamber of Commerce focused on trash and rat issues in the neighborhood. Members were supportive of a change to a morning-only timeframe for property owners and residents to put out their trash. Restaurant trash is generally picked up 7 days a week at night by private haulers so there will be no change, although it was noted that the City is looking to increase commercial recycling.
Currently, household trash can be put out at 5pm the night before through 7am in the morning, when the trucks start picking up the garbage. Pickups are made 3 times per week. This results in 42 hours per week with trash on the streets.
Stephen Passacantilli, a representative of District 1 City Councilor Sal LaMattina’s office, reviewed the Councilor’s idea to move the North End to a morning-only timeframe where residents would put out their trash from 6am through 9am. The Councilor’s proposal follows a recent City Council hearing on the rodent and trash problem. Beacon Hill has recently moved to a system where trash cannot be put out until after midnight.
A major sticking point appears to be the City’s contract with its trash hauler and the cost involved in a later starting time for pickups. It can take 3-4 hours to pick up trash in the North End, so attendees suggested the hauler start on Hanover/Salem and move outward to the less-trafficked streets. Some attendees complained that trash pickup has been running very late with no pickup until after 11 am.
Restaurant trash is not picked up by the City’s contractor, but rather arranged with private haulers. The Councillor’s office would ideally like businesses to use more barrels and increase recycling as part of the City’s “go green” efforts. Some members complained that recycling pickups have been unreliable in the past.
Should City Hall be able to work out an agreement with its contractor, a neighborhood meeting would be planned regarding the morning-only proposal. Chamber members emphasized the situation is dire creating a public safety concern regarding the spread of disease. The Chamber will write a letter to support the morning-only disposal plan.
Members reported several rat sightings, especially around the North End Library area. The City has increased its baiting and trapping in the neighborhood on a nightly basis.
North End Chamber of Commerce meetings are on the first Monday of the month at 5:00 at the Nazzaro Center, 30 N. Bennet. Street. More information at www.NorthEndChamberOfCommerce.com.
