City Suspends Some Trash Collection; Trucks Declared Unsafe

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Only eight garbage trucks in the city are operable and those eight vehicles are dangerously unsafe, Mount Vernon city officials said.

The condition of the fleet has forced the city to suspend some garbage routes.

"Yard waste will be suspended for the rest of the month of July due to a shortage of operable vehicles for collection," the Mount Vernon Department of Public Works said in a statement on Wednesday. "We will not risk the safety of our residents and hardworking Department of Public Works staff. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you, and we ask that you work with us as we continue to navigate these tough and unprecedented times."

Of the eight garbage trucks in working condition, only four of those will be on the road on Thursday after the other four were deemed too unsafe to allow on the roads.

Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard urged residents waiting for garbage collection to be patient. She said that the city owes the tire company it uses more than $45,000. The mayor also indicated the city has the funds to repair or replace the unsafe and inoperable garbage trucks, but that Mount Vernon City Comptroller Deborah Reynolds is blocking those efforts by refusing to release authorized funds.

"The tires are splitting and the treads are getting ready to come off," Patterson-Howard said in a video posted on Wednesday announcing the suspension of yard waste removal. "Our workers cannot continue to operate in this condition. We want to pick up the garbage, but, this is critical, the fleet is old. These trucks are leaking oil ... The tires are splitting."

This isn't the first time city services have been disrupted by infighting and allegations that the comptroller was abusing her authority. Earlier this year, the comptroller was accused of failing to pay fuel bills forcing police, fire and public works vehicles to ration gas.

Fingers were also pointed at the comptroller after authorized repairs were not made to a boiler in city hall. The boiler eventually failed causing a flood and requiring the seat of city government to close its doors for weeks.

SEE ALSO:

• Gas Rationing For Police: Mayor Declares Fuel Emergency
• Out Of Gas: Judge Orders Comptroller To Pay Overdue Fuel Bills
• Mayor: It Will Take 'Act Of God' To Avoid City Shutdown
• Gas Ahead: Comptroller Obeys Court Order To Pay Fuel Bills
• Mount Vernon Votes To Bypass Comptroller on Pandemic Relief Funds
• Court Blocks Council's Attempt To Bench Embattled Comptroller