***Sunday, 8 p.m. update
The Marblehead Public Health Department sent out a Code Red (phone) message to residents Sunday evening that Republic Services will have replacement workers in town on the week of July 7, providing curbside trash and recycling collection. The regular trash schedule will be followed. Republic’s union workers have been on strike for several days.
“We are aware that some streets have not had their curbside trash or recycling collected. Please contact the Health Department office … and give us the street name and address and identify if it is trash or recycling,” the message said. “We want to make those streets that have not had the trash collection a priority.”
The Health Department can be reached at 781-631-0212.
The Transfer Station will be open again Monday for all residents for trash and recycling. Stickers are not required.
“We apologize for the inconvenience and difficulties this situation is causing,” the message added.
Board of Health member Tom McMahon posted a new message to his public Facebook page Sunday night.
“Email me if you are waiting for pickup at TomMcMahonBOH@gmail.com and I’ll pass on your address. DO NOT EXPECT THAT JUST BECAUSE YOUR ADDRESS IS ON THE LIST THAT YOU WILL GET PICKED UP TOMORROW. The resources are limited. If you’re capable, I would recommend driving your trash and recyclables to the Transfer Station yourself. For one, you’ll be guaranteed that it gets there. But on another note, for those that truly cannot do it on their own, you give them a better shot at getting picked up by the staff.”
He added: “Again, this is a strike from a 3rd party vendor. Do not expect everything to go smoothly or for there to be a solid backup. Its unfortunately not the reality of the situation.”
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The Marblehead Board of Health will provide an update Sunday afternoon about the ongoing trash strike by Republic Services, which serves Marblehead and several other communities.
Republic brought in replacement workers last week, but many residents are reporting that their trash and recycling have not been picked up.
Public Health Director Andrew Petty “has been trying to get answers from Republic to develop a plan for tomorrow and the week ahead,” BoH member Tom Massaro told the Current.
On Saturday, BoH member Tom McMahon posted to Facebook explaining that the town has no recourse because the striking workers are Republic employees, and do not report to the town.
“So what can you do? STOP WAITING. When Monday comes, take your trash up to the Transfer Station,” McMahon wrote. “Help a neighbor or a friend if you can who might not be able to do it on their own. You’re welcome to leave the barrels out in front of your house and wait it out but I want to be clear that I would not do that. And I haven’t. They missed my neighborhood also.”
The Transfer Station is closed Sunday. “The compactors do have a fill level and that’s when the trailers that cart the trash away get filled. Those are full right now and will not get taken away until Monday,” McMahon explained.
He continued: “We have no new update from Republic. This is a widespread problem, it’s not just Marblehead. But we are lucky we have a backup in our Transfer Station. But you’re gonna have to do it yourself. It sucks, for everyone, but it’s completely out of all of our hands. So feel free to keep waiting for Republic to show, but again, my recommendation is to NOT WAIT. Take your trash and recycling up to the Transfer Station until the strike is over which we all hope will be soon. AND PLEASE BE EXTRA NICE TO THE WORKERS AT THE TRANSFER STATION. They’re working their butts off during this. Bringing them water, snacks or even just thanking them goes a long way.”
