The need for more litter containers and the lack of garbage pick-ups the days after a Monday holiday were addressed at the recent Flatlands Civic Association meeting.
The city’s Department of Sanitation’s community liaison, Bruno Iciano, attended the meeting at the Glenwood Senior Center to explain these and other sanitation issues.
“We need city wastebaskets [litter containers] on the corners of Avenue H and East 56th and 57th Streets as well as one in front of the Subway Sandwich shop on Avenue I and Flatlands Avenue,” said FCA President Aiden Pursoo, adding there were litter baskets at some of these locations, but have gone missing recently.
Iciano explained that sometimes the city litter baskets are taken by vandals and said that he would look into the situation.
It is also important to remember the litter baskets are for litter such as soda cans, newspapers and gum wrappers, and not household garbage, he said.
In regard to trash pick-ups, residents said that they have regular and recycling trash pick-ups on Monday, but if the Monday falls on a holiday, their regular trash is not picked up until the following Thursday and the recycling trash the following Monday.
Iciano said that when residents know that a national holiday is approaching, they should not put out their regular trash until Monday evening for a Tuesday pick-up, and should hold onto their recycled trash until the following Monday pick-up.
Iciano said the regular trash should be picked up the following day, and, if it is not, residents should call 311.
As this paper went to press on Tuesday, residents reported that the trash following the Memorial Day weekend was still not picked up.
Other residents complained that when the street sweeper comes if a car is parked illegally, they just go around it, and then sanitation enforcement agents sometimes ticket the homeowner for not cleaning 18 inches from the curb.
If the street sweeper goes around the car, the homeowner cannot sweep under the car 18 inches away from the curb, said one resident.
Iciano said that residents who get tickets should explain that situation when pleading not guilty, and should also try to get the enforcement agent’s name and complain to the DOS.
Residents also complained about cars parked on the street for long periods of time that accumulate tickets, and asked what agency is responsible for removing the vehicles.
Iciano replied that if there is a license plate on the vehicle, it’s a police issue, and if there are no plates it’s a DOS issue.
Again, it’s better to call 311 in this situation, he said.
Iciano also said residents with old tires can drop four off at a time free of charge to the local DOS yard.
The local yard for Flatlands residents is located at 105-01 Foster Avenue at Avenue D. the hours are from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For more information regarding the DOS, log onto www.nyc.gov/sanitation.
