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Volunteers haul two dumpsters and about 190 tires from Wylie Street bank; organizers propose fences, cameras and resident oversight
Summary
Residents and volunteers organized by One Schenectady removed two dumpsters of trash, about 190 tires and large debris from the Wylie Street hillside; organizers and council members urged systemic responses including fencing, surveillance cameras, signage and resident stewardship.
Residents and volunteers on April 12–13 removed large amounts of dumped refuse from the hillside along Wylie Street, below the Wylie Street bank between Strong and Craig streets, organizers told the Schenectady City Council on April 14.
Robert Carell, executive director of the Schenectady Foundation and a city resident, said the weekend cleanup was intended “to make a statement about the power of people who care about their city.” Carell told the council volunteers filled two dumpsters with items ranging from old tires and construction refuse to broken glass and a partially dismantled boat.
Eric Johnson, a city resident who helped organize the effort, told the council the weekend drew 39 volunteers who together logged about 610 volunteer hours. “We filled 2 dumpsters, and I believe there was about a 190 tires that we were able to pull out of the bank over Wylie Street,” Johnson said. He described remaining problem areas in two gullies between Michigan Avenue and Craig Street that still require heavy lifting.
Organizers and speakers suggested several systemic measures to reduce future illegal dumping: installing a fence along the hillside to deter access and protect children, placing security cameras to record dumping activity, posting signage stating fines for illegal dumping, and organizing local residents to steward the site. Carell said volunteers plan follow‑up cleanups and intend to provide the council with a report and photographs.
Councilmember Patrick thanked the One Schenectady volunteers and noted other community groups that regularly run cleanups. Councilmember Williams praised the volunteers and described littering as a behavioral issue: “I look at littering and how this is still an issue in the 21st century, year 2025,” he said, calling for residents to model cleanup behavior.
Councilmember Farley and Mayor McCarthy also thanked volunteers and noted additional neighborhood cleanups being planned by local associations. The mayor highlighted other recent park and recreation investments including renovations at municipal pools, the golf course reopening and work at Grout Park.
Speakers emphasized that the cleanup was a community effort combining neighborhood residents, college students and volunteers from local organizations; organizers asked the city for follow‑up conversations about fencing, surveillance, signage and coordinated volunteer support.
The cleanup remarks were delivered during the public comment portion of the council meeting; the transcript records no formal council action, funding commitment, or adoption of specific enforcement measures during the April 14 meeting.
