THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 13, 2020 Page 9 New trash plan provides options By Barbara Taormina C ity councillors reviewed a revised plan to improve Malden’s trash collection and recycling program this week, and they think you’re going to like it. The new approach gives residents a choice between continuing to use the blue PayAs-You-Throw bags or switching to a city-issued barrel with a $75 special trash tag that can be filled with trash tied up in any bag they choose. “It’s a great compromise,” said Parking Department Director Ron Hogan. “If you don’t want to change, don’t change; keep buying the bags.” The city originally proposed eliminating the blue bags and replacing them with 64-gallon trash barrel and a 32-gallon recycling barrel that would cost residents a $10 monthly fee tacked on to their water bills. But some residents had concerns about hauling the big barrels out to the curb while others, who barely fill one blue bag a week, felt they would be overcharged under that system. Under the new plan, the city will provide all households with a 32-gallon covered trash toter and a 32-gallon covered recycling toter at no cost. Residents can use the barrels for trash in blue Pay-As-You-Throw bags, or if they purchase the tags, trash can be packed in any bags. HoOTERI | FROM PAGE 1 “We also continue to take precautions in our schools with extra cleaning and making sure hand sanitizer is available,” he added. At the recent March Malden School Committee meeting, Supt. Oteri told the members that the district’s custodial staff has been taking extra time to clean doorknobs and other touchpoints on a daily basis before school begins and also at other times during the school day. The Superintendent urged all families and staff to try and prevent the spread of respiratory diseases and illnesses, such as COVID-19 and the flu, by taking the following precautions: zWash your hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds zAvoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth zAvoid sharing drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, dishes, towels or other items zAvoid close contact with people who are sick, as much as possible zStay home when you are sick zCover your mouth when you cough gan said the new plan would get blue bags off the sidewalks, and the covered toters would prevent trash and recycling from blowing through neighborhoods. Households that generate more than 32 gallons of trash a week can buy a second barrel from the city at cost – and either purchase an additional $75 tag, which will have a unique number and bar code to identify where it belongs – or use it for trash in blue bags. Residents can also use their own barrels for blue-bagged trash. As part of the new program, the city will move to single-stream recycling, which means all glass, plastic and paper can go into the new covered toters. “The proposal comes with some costs,” explained Hogan. The City’s trash hauler, JRM, will charge $200,000 a year for the switch to single-stream recycling, and $50,000 a year for the additional work involved in curbside collection. The city also plans to spend $552,000 for 16,000 trash barrels, $552,000 for 16,000 recycling toters and $128,000 to have them delivered throughout the city. However, the city will also be eligible for a $300,000 Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection grant for the barrels and a $200,000 grant for the recycling toters, which brings the Also, the letter stated, families should contact the school nurse if they are unsure whether a child should attend school or stay home. A student with a fever should remain home for at least 24 hours after the fever has resolved without use of medication. For more information and updates, visit the Malden Health Department’s website at https://www.cityofmalden. org/706/2019-Novel-Coronavirus. Also, Supt. Oteri said it is possible to use the following link to view valuable information on the Malden Public Schools’ website (maldenps.org) regarding the Coronavirus and that updated information is added when it becomes available: https://maldenps.org/information/resources/health-services/coronavirus-information/ On the website the information is also translated in the following languages: Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Vietnamese and Haitian Creole. Supt. Oteri reiterated that if there are any changes in the course of action taken by Malden Public Schools then families and staff will be notified immediately. cost down to $732,000. The city will pay that bill with a five-year loan or annual payments of $160,000 a year. Although some councillors raised concerns about the costs and suggested that residents pay for their barrels, Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora said this proposal will require a small increase in city spending for an essential service that affects every resident in the city. However, councillors agreed with Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow to review the financing after the first year. Councillors voted to schedule a public meeting to present the plan to the community and to begin crafting a new solid waste disposal ordinance. “The program is fantastic,” said Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon. “I never thought it would happen. There’s an option for everyone.” B BUONFIGLIO FUNERAL HOME BUONFIGLIO FUNERAL HOME INVITES YOU TO A FREE INFORMATION SEMINAR ON FUNERAL COSTS, CREMATION AND PRE-PLANNING Thursday, March 19, 2020 at 11 AM and 6 PM Held at Buonfiglio Funeral Home 128 Revere Street, Revere, MA 02151 R.S.V.P. by March 13, 2020 at 781-284-3376 Seating Is Limited & Refreshments Will Be Served “Providing compassionate, quality service and counseling to the families we serve before, during and after their time of need”
10 Publizr Home