Responding to feedback from downtown residents and business owners, Mayor Edward A. Bettencourt, Jr. announced that the city is beefing up its street sweeping, trash and litter removal efforts on Main Street and downtown Peabody.
“The revitalization of downtown Peabody continues with the addition of the North Shore Children’s Museum on Main Street and the Bell Inn & Tavern at 2 Washington St.,” Bettencourt said. “It is very important that our downtown cleaning efforts keep pace with the exciting growth and progress of the past several years.”
Olio owner Sarah Narcus, who also began the Downtown Business Coalition, is urging Peabody Main Streets and the city to step up efforts.
“The downtown’s small businesses are grateful for the support of the mayor’s office and the city’s public services,” said Narcus. “We are hopeful that in keeping our downtown safe and clean, we can continue to attract more visitors and investment.”
As such, Bettencourt outlined an enhanced schedule for street sweeping and trash and litter removal, which goes into effect immediately.
Street sweeping operations, through the Department of Public Services, will be conducted two to three times per week, weather permitting. Street sweepers will operate overnight on Main Street, Washington Street, Lowell Street and Foster Street.
Crews will also empty downtown trash and recycling containers during overnight hours, Monday through Sunday. In addition to emptying the containers, crews will pick up trash and debris in all municipal parking lots, and curbside on Main Street, Washington Street and Foster Street.
There will be three large-scale downtown street sweeping operations per year encompassing Main Street, Washington Street, Foster Street and Lowell Street. During these operations, Peabody police will post and enforce a temporary on-street parking ban.