Niagara Falls Department of Public Works crews say they cleared 60 tons of debris and refuse from the streets of the Cataract City on Thursday.
The cleanup, a targeted effort with help from the city’s waste disposal provider, Casella Waste Systems, centered on the 400 block alleyway between 18th and 19 streets and the 1500 block alleyway between Pierce and Whitney avenues. Both sites are plagued by illegal dumping activity.
Mayor Robert Restaino said the effort has been in the planning stages for several weeks.
“It was one of the things (Casella) wanted to do for the city as part of their contract,” the mayor said. “They wanted to do something for the community.”
Restaino said the city is hoping to conduct targeted clean-ups, in concert with Casale, on a seasonal basis. He said debris removal at the beginning and end of the summer would be the most likely schedule.
“They’re partnering with DPW because our people know where the worst areas are,” Restaino said. “Our guys were helping to target the problem and they provided us with the ability to move the debris out.”
Casella covered the cost of dumping the debris which included more than 22 to 23 truckloads of waste. Much of the debris was dumped in vacant lots off of the alleyways and included mattresses, large pieces of furniture, carpeting, scrap wood and tires.
“They have really been a really good provider for us,” Restaino said. “And that extends to being responsive to the community with (regular garbage) pick-up. They are trying to satisfy everyone’s needs.”
The mayor said the targeted debris removal is an example of how public-private partnerships can benefit the city.