-By John Lynds
john@eastietimes.com
City Councilor Sal LaMattina (above) is joined by Frank O’Brien (below) of Boston Public Works Department at a meeting Monday in Jeffries Point to discuss a new pilot program in the Jeffries neighborhood that will focus on proper trash disposal and enforcement
It’s no secret that East Boston has long struggled with the daily occurrence of trash and litter on its streets. While there has been some major improvements in the overall appearance of the neighborhood streets through new initiatives like adding more barrels, educating residents and business owners about proper trash storage and disposal and cleanups there is still a lot of work that needs to be
This week, City Councilor Sal LaMattina launched a new pilot program in the Jeffries Point neighborhood that will eventually spread throughout Eastie.
The program, based on a similar program the Councilor did in the North End will focus on proper trash disposal and enforcement.
“We will start with fliers in English, Spanish and other languages to all residents in Jeffries Point that spells out what the city expects or requires of residents and business owners in regards to trash storage and disposal and litter,” said LaMattina. “That was the first step. Now the second step will be to begin focusing on the problem areas in Jeffries Point with enforcement of current laws.”
LaMattina said code enforcement will first issue warning and then later issue fines.
LaMattina was joined by Frank O’Brien of Boston Public Works Department at a meeting Monday in Jeffries Point to discuss the program.
The two reminded all residents that they have the responsibility to properly dispose of their trash and to keep the sidewalk in front of their residence or business clean and free of obstruction. To ensure residents meet those responsibilities, the state has empowered the City of Boston to pass ordinances that encourage compliance.
“Up to this date, these laws have been enforced in a targeted fashion,” said O’Brien. “Going forward, the laws governing trash disposal will be enforced throughout Boston and residents will be held responsible.”
LaMattina said Boston Police and the Inspectional Services Department (“ISD”) will now be strictly enforcing these laws in Jeffries Point.
LaMattina added that the laws states that residents are not allowed to dispose of trash on the street or sidewalk.
“You must store your trash in a proper receptacle on your own property or dispose of it in a public barrel,” he said. “Failure to comply will result in a fine of $25. If a police officer or ISD officer sees you throwing an empty can or cigarette butt on the sidewalk, they can stop you, ask for your identification, and issue you a fine. An empty can or cigarette butt is not worth $25.”
The city is also requiring resident to put trash in either a barrel with a closable lid or in a standard, heavy-duty, two-ply trash bag. Residents should no longer put out trash in grocery/CVS bags or in boxes. Unsecured trash can blow into the street or become food for rodents. Failure to comply will result in a fine of $25. Residents will also be responsible for putting out trash neatly at the curb by 7 p.m. on your trash day or after 5 p.m. the night before. Failure to do so will result in a fine of $25.
“Residents are also responsible for sweeping in front of your home or business at least once a week,” said LaMattina. “If you live in a building with multiple residents, you must make arrangements to take turns sweeping and cleaning gutters.”
LaMattina said thanks to the new Green Ticket law, unpaid fines will be added to a homeowner’s property taxes. Failure to pay the fines will result in the fines being converted into a tax lien on property.
“If you are a landlord, you are responsible for your tenants and should inform them of these new guidelines we’ll be enforcing,” said LaMattina. “In these difficult economic times, no one needs the burden of a fine. So please fulfill your responsibility as a resident of Boston and properly dispose of your trash.”
Residents can call LaMattina’s Office at 617-635-3200 or Mayor Menino East Boston Liaison Ernani DeAraujo at 617- 635 – 3485 if they have question.
View Comments (6)
"LaMattina said Boston Police and the Inspectional Services Department (“ISD”) will now be strictly enforcing these laws in Jeffries Point."
I guess the real questions is why hasn't ISD and BPD been "strictly enforcin" these laws all along? It't not like the streets of East Boston became filthy last week.
While there's no shortage of litter, or piles and piles of shopping bags of trash lining the curbs on trash day, the streets get even worse AFTER trash collection. At some point between barrel & truck, it seems a good portion of trash "escapes" into the wild, and just sits there. Something needs to be done about that.
When it comes to levying fines for improper disposal, I'll believe it when I see it. I long gave up complaining to the city about the (sometimes quite giant) mounds of garbage in thin/ripped/open bags. That's a pest problem waiting to happen (or worsen). Especially considering the volume of garbage that can come out of a single residence.
(While I am unaware of any set limits as to volume of trash per residence, I hope that the inspectional services folks have the insight to use that in identifying potentially overpopulated fire traps / disease factories.)
I like this idea, but being a resident of East Boston - I know that the problem does not only lie with adults but with children and adolescents. The fact that there are NO TRASH CANS any where in the street sidewalks of the entire Jeffries Point area except up through Bennington Street is horrible. The only trash cans are in the parks which are MASSPORT property.
Children who get out of school and are drinking cans of juice etc. throw items on the street because there is just no other place to dispose of them. The 1st thing the City needs to do is put trash cans on every other corner just like on main streets.
Then, the City should inform Police Officers that there is a huge trash problem especially on the soccer fields (where the avid soccer players throw away tacos, burritos, soda cans, water bottles right in the grass and put trash barrels up as goals instead of using them properly). Police should give out tickets of $250 per fine, NOT $25, because this meager amount of money will not solve the persistent problem.
Good Job, Sal... That why to many people like you. But please don't forget to fine those people ... Animal feeders in are city. Thanks. Stella Rey
Dear Councillor LaMattina,
I am so glad you are getting tough on trash. But where-oh-where is the trash barrel promised for the messy end of Cottage Street.? Other nearby streets have them. Why are we denied them?
In sorrow.
Jane Poncia
160 Cottage Street
East Boston, Ma. 02128
I live around Chelsea and Porter St and it seems that some residents don't care about keeping the neighborhood clean. Each week I'm out sweeping the sidewalk and gutter of litter from in front of my building, but soon after it gets filthy again. What worse is the Asians that pick through the garbage for bottles every trash day. They rip open the trash bags and it ends up on the sidewalk for the seagulls. It's very annoying when some are trying to maintain a clean environment and other could care less. There should be stricter fines for people that litter.