Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
B.P. Molinaro urges DSNY to reconsider conversion from container collection to curbside pickup
56 condos, adult homes, religious and commercial sites affected by new policy
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today urged the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) to reconsider its plan to replace containerized refuse collection with curbside service at scores of locations across the Borough.
“This plan just doesn’t pass the smell test,” said Molinaro. “Years ago, DSNY switched from loose garbage to containerized refuse because it was more efficient and cost-saving. Now they say they’re going back to the old system for the very same reasons! Something doesn’t make sense. Am I missing something here?
The new policy affects 56 condominium and apartment complexes, adult homes, religious and community facilities and commercial establishments.
“Residents correctly argue that at some locations there will be hundreds of trash bags on curbs, which is unsightly, attracts vermin and creates litter on the open street,” Molinaro said. “From a quality-of-life standpoint, the dumpsters are safer and more desirable than a curbside wall of garbage.”
In a letter to DSNY Commissioner John J. Doherty, Molinaro wrote, “I have received numerous complaints from the affected organizations describing the negative effect that this conversion would have. Armstrong Gardens Condominiums describes how the conversion would require a minimum of 300 garbage cans instead of six dumpsters. An adult home describes how daily refuse for 200 residents and 50 staff will have to be stored in garbage bags and put out for curbside pickup in an otherwise residential community.
“Commissioner, as a fellow Staten Islander familiar with the makeup of our Borough and the communities surrounding these facilities, I ask you to reconsider this plan,” Molinaro added. “The conversion from containers to garbage bags will have a serious negative effect on the health, safety, and quality of life of people in these areas.”
July 15, 2009