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Residents press Chester council on trash service, speed calming and youth mural
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Summary
Residents raised recurring trash pickup problems and safety concerns about speeding and unmarked school vans; city staff said a meeting is set with the hauler and Public Works described a petition process for speed bumps. A nonprofit announced a youth mural and community events.
Chester — Public comment at the April 22 council meeting focused on quality‑of‑life issues: trash pickup, traffic safety and youth programming.
Ellen Robinson said the city’s new trash collection system, which was supposed to separate recyclables, has frequently mixed trash and recyclables in her neighborhood since January. “They mix the trash every week they come,” she said. The public safety chief responded that the city has a meeting scheduled with Casella, the contracted hauler, to address recurring complaints and that the city will refer citizen complaints to the vendor and consider sending a staff member on a hauler truck to observe operations.
Victor Cabral, representing the nonprofit 4 Circles Beyond, described a youth fellowship that designed a mural to be painted June 27 at 2100 Providence Avenue with an unveiling on June 28 and invited council to attend. Cabral said the group is documenting the process and noted youth advocacy work on environmental health.
Several residents urged additional traffic‑calming measures on East 24th Street, where unmarked vans that pick up students create safety concerns. Andrew from Public Works explained the speed bump petition process: residents must bring a petition signed by more than 50% of households on the block, staff will inspect candidate locations, and speed bumps cannot be installed on state roads or where site conditions prohibit them. “If over 50% of the residents on that block signed the petition, then it can be brought back to the Public Works Department and staff will go out and actually formally inspect the location,” Andrew said.
Dr. Fontaine urged the council to consider school‑zone flashing lights or crossing guards on West 22nd and Wetherill and supported appointing a new stormwater authority member with fresh expertise. Other speakers highlighted the block captain program, neighborhood cleanups and upcoming events including a rain barrel workshop and a Delco Gives celebration.
The council asked staff to pursue the vendor meeting and follow up on speed‑calming petition procedures; the record shows residents pressing for faster operational fixes on trash pickup and for safety measures near schools.
