LYNN — The Department of Public Works is making a concerted effort to keep the city’s streets clean, but it needs the cooperation of businesses and residents in order to be successful.
“Keeping the downtown and our neighborhoods clean has been and remains a priority,” said Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy. “We appreciate the cooperation of residents and businesses to help us achieve this.”
The city has a contract with American Sweeping to clean the streets in the spring (April-May) and fall (October-November). Regular street sweeping not only keeps the city cleaner and safer, it also limits the amount of trash and pollutants getting into storm drains and the water stream.
Of particular importance is the street sweeping in the downtown, which is done on a nightly basis from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. One side of the street is done on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and the other side on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The DPW reminds everyone that there is no parking in the downtown between the hours of 4 and 8 a.m., with enforcement handled by the police and parking departments.
“It is very important that people adhere to the no parking regulations so that the street sweepers can do their job as thoroughly as possible,” said DPW Commissioner Andrew Hall. “We want the downtown to remain clean for businesses, residents and visitors. We encourage everyone to use the trash receptacles that are available and refrain from throwing trash out of their vehicles.”
Hall said street sweeping would continue throughout the winter as weather permits. Since the sweeping machinery needs water to work effectively, it is not used when temperatures drop below freezing.