Slow start to Swampscott beach trash program

SWAMPSCOTT – The carry-in/carry-out pilot program at Phillips Beach is not taking off as town officials had hoped, as beachgoers continue to leave trash piled up at the beach.?Right now it?s definitely not working out,” said Department of Public Works Director Gino Cresta on Monday. “It?s going to take a little bit of time. This weekend was better, but I?m still sending my guys by there each weekend to pick up trash.”The program was implemented three weeks ago as a trial to determine if Swampscott should adopt the policy for all its beaches next summer. On July 1, DPW crews removed all trash barrels at the beach, but three weeks later, Cresta said beachgoers are leaving their trash in a pile in the barrels? place.At a meeting July 17, Selectman Glenn Kessler said while he thought the idea was a great concept, “I don?t know if I?m in agreement of it proving itself to be a success at this point.”Selectman Barry Greenfield suggested at the meeting, with agreement from Selectman Matt Strauss, that DPW add more signs to the property so the public was more informed of the policy. Cresta echoed Greenfield?s idea Monday when he referred to an email he received from a resident complaining that the barrels were missing from the beach.But Kessler said the signs were not the problem because the ones already in place were prominent enough. “There?s one right there as you walk in,” he said. “You can?t miss it.”Though the program was put into place to dually save money on DPW trash pickup as well as be more eco-friendly, Cresta said it?s not really cutting costs much.?It will save a little bit, not a real lot,” said Cresta. “We are still out there picking up the barrels anyway, it?s just one location we?re skipping. We?re still doing the parks and other barrels on Humphrey Street.”Both selectmen and Cresta were hopeful that the program will work. “I want to remain optimistic,” said Cresta. When asked how he thought next summer would go, Cresta said, “Let?s start with this one first and see how this one goes.”Chairman Jill Sullivan encouraged residents to be more accountable for each other.?I would hate to see us bail on the program because of a couple of bad actors. We said ?pilot for the summer.? It?s been two weeks,” said Sullivan. “Say to your fellow resident, ?Hey, pick up your bag!? Or, pick it up for them.”