MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITY PLANS TO CONTINUE WINTER RECOVERY, TRASH PICK-UP

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES CITY PLANS TO CONTINUE WINTER RECOVERY, TRASH PICK-UP

Encourages residents to participate in Boston Shines 

BOSTON - Friday, March 13, 2015 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh today outlined the City of Boston's efforts to continue snow recovery efforts and clean-up the trash left behind from the unprecedented amount of snow Boston received over a thirty day period.  This week alone, Boston's Public Works Department's overnight street sweeping crews have removed over 50 tons of trash from the streets of Boston, and the Mayor has approved 20 hokeys, who will begin on Monday to assist in trash removal efforts. 

Beginning on April 24, the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services will lead the annual "Boston Shines," recruiting volunteers to tackle cleaning the streets of Boston one neighborhood at a time for three consecutive weekends. 

"This year, it's more important than ever for us to come together as one community to assist in the monumental task of cleaning up our neighborhoods," said Mayor Walsh.  "I encourage all of our residents to get involved in Boston Shines as Boston continues to recover from the historic amount of snow we received." 

Residents may learn more and become involved with Boston Shines by visiting http://www.cityofboston.gov/ons/BostonShines

In 2014, the Office of Neighborhood services, working with partnership organizations, completed 295 projects in neighborhoods throughout Boston. Neighborhood Services liaisons are currently working with community members to identify projects for this year's effort. The Mayor's Office hopes to expand volunteer opportunities this year while focusing on four service areas: physical service, university engagement, youth development and  uniting neighbors and communities. 

The Public Works Department this week began District Yard street sweeping through major roadways and arteries. Posted residential street sweeping is postponed in neighborhoods with March street sweeping until curbs and gutters are free of ice and snow.  

On February 11, Public Works began proactively surveying roads to fill potholes following the heavy use of salt and snow removal equipment used on roads as a result of the snow storms. Since then, 500 tons of hot top has been used to fill over 2,100 potholes. 

With the snow continuing to melt, Boston's Parks are expected to be ready for spring. The Parks and Recreation Department are continuing to monitor athletic fields for spring sports and will be communicating to the public through social media and working with permit holders.

Over the course of 30 days, Boston experienced a historic amount of snow fall: 

• 1 billion cubic feet of snow fell on Boston’s streets last month - more than twice the amount of dirt moved during all 15 years of the Central Artery Tunnel Project.
• PWD plowed 295,000 miles of roadway—roughly 12 trips around the earth.
• PWD removed over 35,000 truckloads of snow from city streets.
• PWD melted 50,000 tons of snow at our farms.
• In addition, over 110,000 calls were received at the Mayor’s Hotline.
• The Boston Public Schools for 8 days, while keeping 14 community centers open for free childcare.
• Together, the Boston Police and Inspectional Services departments gave over 1,100 rides to nurses and emergency workers.
• The Boston Fire Department answered over 7,500 calls—46 percent more than the same period last year.
• The City's homeless shelters have been open around the clock, offering daytime services and sheltering more than 600 guests each night.