A little more than a week after Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway Park) urged city officials to address the mounds of trash that can accumulate in Howard Beach’s Coleman Square, the Department of Sanitation announced it would tackle the problem.
“After careful consideration, Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia has approved an additional litter basket collection for the Coleman Square Station in Howard Beach, Queens using existing department resources,” the department said in a prepared statement. “The litter basket collection service is now increased to three times a week from two times a week, in an effort to improve cleanliness conditions at this busy transportation hub.”
Goldfeder penned a letter to Garcia earlier this month asking that additional garbage cans be placed at the train station and that trash collection pick-ups be more frequent in the area. The Department of Sanitation said there are now four litter baskets, “which is sufficient for this location.”
“In addition to the additional litter basket collection, the department will continue to monitor the area,” the DOS said in the same statement.
Goldfeder, civic leaders, and other residents said the overflowing trash at the station has been a paramount concern for those living in the neighborhood, as well as for area business owners – and the department’s fast action on the matter was welcomed with open arms.
“This is a huge victory for our families in Howard Beach,” Goldfeder said. “I applaud the Department of Sanitation for their quick response to my letter and for their immediate action to keep our community clean.”
By Anna Gustafson
