Peabody withholds payments, pursues lawsuit after Republic Services work stoppage; injunction denied

Peabody Mayor Bettencourt updated the City Council on Monday that Republic Services has failed to perform required weekly trash and recycling collections and that the city is pursuing legal remedies while withholding contract payments. "They are clearly in breach of the contract where they're required to pick up all trash and recycling every 7 days," the mayor said.

The city has joined or coordinated with other municipalities in litigation alleging public‑health nuisances caused by missed collections; the suit sought injunctive relief requiring Republic to add trucks and personnel. The judge denied the requested injunction "without prejudice," the mayor said, meaning the underlying lawsuit continues and the city may refile the emergency request.

Why it matters: the stoppage has affected city operations and residents' health and safety, the mayor said, and the city is documenting costs to support future breach‑of‑contract claims. "We need to make sure our legal interests are protected, our financial interests are protected, and the public health of our residents are protected as very best we can," Bettencourt said.

City actions and operational impact The mayor said Peabody and 13 other communities served by Republic…