The Snow Finally is Melting, But About That Trash...

Warm weather and brief rain showers on Sunday helped to melt much of the snow behind last weekend's blizzard, the sixth largest snowstorm in New York City history.

Many wondered whether the lackluster snow removal effort of Mayor Bloomberg's administration was a lack of preparedness, or an intentional work slowdown by the Department of Sanitation (DOT) protesting recent budget cuts.

Now, residents trade one DOT frustration for another, as four-foot piles of garbage replace the melting snow following an entire week of no garbage retrieval.

But Bed-Stuy residents can expect things to return to normal. The DOT announced yesterday that it will resume limited trash pickup beginning today.

"We are able to resume garbage pickups now that significant progress has been made in clearing away the aftermath of last Sunday's massive blizzard," said Commissioner John J. Doherty. "The cleanup will take some time, but we are pleased to be able to resume providing this essential service to the public."

The Commissioner also said that Sanitation trucks have started to collect garbage dumpsters from housing developments across the city and other trucks will be making garbage pickups at other large apartment buildings on Sunday.

The Department will not be collecting recyclables until further notice, but residents who normally receive Monday collections should place all of their garbage bags, pails, containers and discarded Christmas trees and containers curbside for pickup.