HomeMy WebLinkAbout1969-06-03273
BOARD OF HEALTH
SPECIAL HEARING - JUNE 3, 1969
A special hearing was held June 3, 1969 at 7:30 P.M. by the
Board of Health in the Recreation Center of the William Roger
Greeley Village with the Housing Authority regarding the re -location
of the garbage pails from the side yards to the front of the apart-
ments.
Board of Health members present were: Dr. William Cosgrove,
Chairman, Dr. Charles Colburn, Mr. James Lambie and Director of
Public Health, Robert C. Heustis. Mr. Stephen Russian, Attorney
for the Housing Authority, introduced the members as follows:
Mr. Temple Scanlon, Chairman, Joseph Rooney, William Melbye, Burton
Williams, Albert Hruby and Mr. Cowdry, Executive Director.
Dr. Cosgrove called the meeting to order, he explained to
the Housing Authority that a number of calls had been received by
the Health Department from residents in Greeley Village regarding
the re -location of the garbage pails from the side of the units to
the front of the buildings. The residents had expressed concern
that garbage pails in the front of the units under the windows
would cause odors and flies and they would be unable to open their
living room windows in the warm weather. They felt this would be
a definite health nuisance. They also expressed concern of the
appearance of the garbage pails in the front of the house.
Mr. Russian: Gentlemen, May
First of all these gentlemen have
project to a reality. They are a
without pay and on a very limited
I speak for the Housing Authority?
worked a long time to bring this
group of dedicated men working
budget.
We understand your problem and we want you to know that we
wish to do the right thing but first we would like to explain our
decision to re -locate the garbage pails. Our funds are very limited
and last winter the snow removal from the walks was a big item in
our budget. This re -location should make for easier snow removal,
and we hope easier accessability for the residents during the winter
months. We did have a few near accidents last year when people had
to go to the side of the building to put the garbage in the pails,
also we did have trouble with the people putting the garbage in
with the rubbish and Mr. Miller said he would not be able to take
the rubbish if this continues because of the dump regulations.
We realize that there are disadvantages in both locations,
however, we studied this problem carefully and finally agreed that
moving the pails to the present location would not only make it
easier for snow removal but allow our residents easier access.
We realize that estheticaly this new location could detract
from the appearance of the area but we feel this will be overcome
when the area is landscaped. Also the Lexington Field and Garden
Club is in the process of setting out plants around the pails, this
should help the looks to some respect.
As you see, we have given this a great deal of thought and we
do feel that when all things are considered the safety and well
c67
being of the residents must come first. Our major concerns,
beside the limited funds, are of the dangers of ice and snow
during the winter plus the fact that the garbage men want
these pails accessable for easier pick-up.
The Division of Housing has had to approve everything in
this development from the time we started. They even had to
approve the re -location of these pails. In order to show you
that this is not an unusual location for the garbage pails I
have here pictures of other places where the garbage pails
have been placed in the front for easier access.
Mr. Cowdry you are on the premises more than the others
have you had any complaints?
Mr. Cowdry: I have two formal complaints and some of
the people have spoken to me when they have been in the office.
He read the two complaints.
Mr. Russian continued to discuss the snow removal and the
problem encountered last winter with the garbage pails located
on the side of the buildings.
Dr. Colburn: I suggest we let our guests speak about this
situation.
There were about twelve residents attending this meeting.
Two of the ladies expressed the opinion that they thought the
garbage pails were all right where they were. They felt that
the odors and flies would prevent them from sitting in their
living room windows this summer. And they both felt that where
there was no screen doors the flies would be able to get into
the apartments that much more easily.
Mr. Scanlon: I should explain that the front doors on
the apartments have been equipped with automatic closing that
is why we do not put screen doors on them. All the windows
have been provided with screens.
One of the other ladies said she thought the garbage
pails would be all right in the new location but she did not
object to the other location either. The rest of the ladies
did not express any opinion.
Mr. Cowdry: I notice every time the garbage men come
through the area they leave the cover open. I have never
seen this done before, what is the reason.
Clerk: The garbage men will do that, the reasons they
give are: To let residents know they have emptied the pails
and also when they slam shut the covers they can break and then
the garbage company is responsible for replacing them. The
Health Department has many complaints about this practice all
year long and we have spoken to Public Works Department about
this many times but there doesn't seem to be much that can be
done about it.
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