The cardboard compactor located at the Twiss Street Transfer Station. (THE WESTFIELD NEWS FILE PHOTO)
WESTFIELD – Public works and trash collection are considered essential services statewide and are continuing operations with some limitations, including the closure of the Twiss Street transfer station in Westfield.
As of March 24, Westfield has closed the Transfer Station until further notice, because items cannot be removed.
In a posting, Board of Health Director Joseph Rouse said because many of the city’s recycling vendors have ceased operations as a result of the governor’s order to close all non-essential businesses, items brought to the Transfer Station cannot be removed. Until such time as vendors are once again able to collect materials at the Transfer Station, Twiss Street will remain closed.
Trash and recycling pickups are on schedule in Westfield, with no delays or changes to the regular trash and recycling pick-up schedule.
Barrels should be placed curbside no later than 7 a.m. on their day of collection to be sure they can be collected. Trucks will not be rerouted to pick up barrels that were not out on time.
“Some people are getting them out late because they are working from home and then they call and say it wasn’t picked up,” said DPW Director David Billips, who asked that the reminder be included.
A notice on the city website at www.cityofwestfield.org also states that during the COVID-19 pandemic DPW may be operating with limited staff on routes and in the offices. If your trash or recycling pickup is missed, residents submit a request via SeeClickFix. This system will be monitored by DPW staff.
The DPW has also put out an advisory reminding residents what not to flush down the toilet if toilet paper becomes scarce. Other items may cause a number of issues with the sewer piping, pumps, and various infrastructures related to wastewater recovery in addition to the plumbing in the home.
Residents keep distance between them at the Southwick Transfer Station, which remains open to town residents with some restrictions. (HOPE E. TREMBLAY/THE WESTFIELD NEWS)
A list of potential toilet paper alternatives that should never be flushed due to their inability to break down include wipes, paper towels, napkins, tissues, rages, sponges, newspaper or office paper. In addition, cotton swabs, sanitary napkins or other solid items should never be flushed. If these alternatives must be used, put them in the trash, not the toilet.
As of March 20 in Southwick, certain items will not be collected at the Southwick Transfer Station until further notice. These include televisions, LCD monitors, mattresses and box springs, washers, dryers and stoves, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers, propane tanks, car tires, fire extinguishers and brush.
Southwick Department of Public Works stated that the restrictions are being put in place because these items require direct handling by staff and others.
