The 10th Councilmanic District has been added to a pilot program that permits residents and small businesses to place their trash out for collection two hours earlier for the next five months.
The 6th Councilmanic District has been in the program since it was created.
City Councilman Bobby Henon (D-6th dist.) planned to introduce legislation allowing all city residents to be able to place their trash outside at 5 p.m., rather than 7 p.m., in the months when daylight-saving time is not in effect.
After Henon had discussions with Clarena Tolson, commissioner of the Department of Streets, an agreement was made to implement the pilot program.
The change is being made for safety reasons, especially for senior citizens. Some residents have told Henon that they do not feel comfortable putting out their trash when it is dark.
The program began on Nov. 1 and will last until March 30. It is open to residents of the 6th and 10th districts based on the redistricting maps passed by City Council in September 2011. Those maps won’t officially change for other city business until the 2015 election season.
During the trial period, the streets department will determine whether the program is working well or if there are problems of any kind.
Most of the Northeast is included in the program. In general, the areas that are excluded are Frankford, Northwood, Summerdale, Lawndale and parts of Castor Gardens, Wissinoming and Oxford Circle.
To find out if you are eligible for the program, go to seventy.org, click “Find Your Elected Officials” and type your address in the box. If the names of Henon or Councilman Brian O’Neill appear, you are eligible.
For more information, call the streets department at 215–686–5560, Henon’s office at 215–686–3444 or O’Neill’s office at 215–686–3422. ••
