SALISBURY, Md. - The city of Salisbury is grappling with significant difficulties in managing its trash collection due to equipment challenges, leading to disrupted collection routes and schedules.
In response, the city announced the leasing of a trash truck and a front-end loader. Throughout the past several days and in the days ahead, the city is using "unconventional" methods to tackle the backlog, including loading trash by hand.
Residents have experienced the impact of these challenges firsthand. Michelle Travis, whose trash was collected Tuesday, expressed relief. "We've had some trash blow all over the neighborhood so we're very delighted to see them show up today."
The issue of trash collection was a last-minute addition to Tuesday afternoon's city council agenda. Mike Dryden, Director of Field Operations for the City addressed the situation, saying, "So with everything we have planned scheduled that's here and arriving, I'm expecting to be out of this mess in a week and a half."
A resident named Julie's trash has been collected, but she says the trash piles are unsightly and unsanitary. "There is piled up trash everywhere. So we have been affected, but I've been a lucky one," she said.
Travis added, "I mean it's supply and demand, so hopefully they can get some new trucks in, and we can go back to normal, but we'll make it. We're not going to die over some trash."
Dryden says the City also received an offer for help from the town of Berlin, in the way of a loaned trash truck, which is expected next week.
