At the DPW, things are heating up

By Joseph Domelowicz Jr.

For the Transcript

With the major reconstruction of Pleasant Street now completed – after a water main break and sinkhole closed a section of the street earlier this winter – and the spring weather starting to settle into the region, Winthrop Public Works Director Dave Hickey said this week that the main priorities for the public works staff is to prepare for the warmer weather and the annual cleaning and recycling programs.

Street Sweeping

program set to begin

The town’s annual street sweeping program is set to kick off next week, with the street sweeper following the trash trucks around town throughout the week. However, due to budget cuts, the sweeper will be only be sent out twice in the spring and then again twice in the fall, said Hickey.

“Because we’ve had to make some tough decisions about the budget and how to fund different things, we’ve been forced to cut down the sweeping program to just four weeks this year,” said Hickey. “For that reason, it is even more important, than in years past, that residents really cooperate and get their vehicles off the streets on the days that the street sweeper is going to be coming through their neighborhoods.”

Shrink wrap recycling now available

Hickey said with the boating season right around the corner, the town is happy to be able to offer shrink wrap recycling for boat owners taking their boats out of storage.

“There is a new dumpster available at the [Department of Public Works] DPW yards, to collect large amounts of plastic shrink wrap,” said Hickey. “There is no schedule of days or hours that folks have to stick to; it is available during the hours that the public works facility is open. We just ask that folks call ahead, 617-846-1341, to let us know they are coming, and we’ll make sure there is someone there to help them get access to the dumpster.”

Household hazardous waste collection

Another annual recycling/collection program the town offers that’s gearing up is household hazardous waste collection.

Waste and items that are hard to dispose of such as motor oil, car batteries, cell phones, propane tanks, old car tires and oil-based paints and other items can be dropped off at the Public Works garage the first Saturday of each month beginning on Saturday, May 2. There may be a small charge for some items, so residents are encouraged to call Public Works at 617-846-1341 and ask about disposal rates on waste items and collection hours on Saturdays.