Mayor: Better Trash Pickup Notification on The Way

In the wake of some residents left wondering about trash pickup during Hurricane Sandy Monday, Oct. 29, Waltham Mayor Jeanette McCarthy has pledged to improve when the city notifies residents of trash pickup plans. 

McCarthy, in an interview with Waltham Patch, said she planned to have residents notified whether the trash will be picked up or not during emergency situatuons. Prior to Hurricane Sandy, McCarthy said the city only notified residents if Capitol Waste, the city's trash hauler, made any changes to their pickup plans.

"My first responsibility as mayor is to make sure alll my departments are ready for an emergency," she said. "The second thing is to get that message out."

The mayor's comments came after a flurry of criticism on Twitter about the lack of notification, until 6:57 a.m. on Oct. 29, about whether the trash would be picked up. 

"Mayor should be embarrassed at lack of communication. almost no one had garbage out Myrtle/Newton [streets]," Twitter user @lil_bit_special. 

When asked whether she would support more frequent distribution of information on social media platforms, she said that each city department is in charge of submitting updates to the 911 dispatch center, where either the Waltham Police, Fire or emergency departments distribute the information on their social media accounts. 

City Councilor Robert Logan has previously filed council resolutions to improve the city's use of social media.