Forde Calls On Waste Management Authority To Move Garbage Bins Away From schools And Provide Bins On The West End Of St. Thomas

ST. THOMAS — Senator Jean A. Forde, chairman of the Committee on Education and Workforce Development, is urging the Waste Management Authority (W.M.A.) to rethink its placement of garbage bins on the western end of St. Thomas, a press release Mr. Forde’s office issued today has made known.

According to the release, Mr. Forde wrote last week to Steven Aubain, acting CEO of the W.M.A., stating that the relocation of a bin site from Bournefield to the Addelita Cancryn Junior High School negatively affects the residents on the west end of st. Thomas, as well as the students of the school.

“The result of this move is that the residents of Estates Bordeaux, Fortuna, Hope, Bonne Esperance, etc. now have even fewer options for disposing of their trash, and the students, faculty and staff of the Cancryn School will be inundated with trash, causing not only unpleasant smells, but health hazards and the possibility of rodent and insect infestation,” Mr. Forde, a Democrat, said. “It is my position that a major garbage collection site should never be located at a school — it is just not an appropriate place for such activity.”

Mr. Forde is suggesting that as an alternative, W.M.A. should consider reopening the bin site that was formerly located on Black Point Hill just west of John Brewer’s Beach.

“The site on Black Point Hill has the advantage of being on a main road used by practically all residents of the West End, and it has an area where drivers can pull off to the side and avoid impeding traffic,” he said. “Additionally, it is not surrounded by residences or other facilities, and thus does not pose a noise, congestion or health hazard to any parties.

“While I acknowledge that there were some safety concerns due to the lack of surrounding structures, those concerns can be addressed through proper lighting of the area. As such, I call on the Waste Management Authority to give this matter serious consideration and bring some relief to our students and residents alike.”