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Residents press Chester council on trash, recycling, park safety and preservation
Summary
During public comment residents raised concerns about recycling and trash collection under the new hauler Casella, questioned parking authority bids, asked about a deteriorating building and local street repairs, and urged presence at an April 9 Philadelphia City Council meeting about trash transfers.
Multiple residents used the March 25 public-comment period to press city leaders on service and safety issues. Speakers raised complaints about recycling being commingled with trash under the new five-year trash contract, asked for transparency around contract approvals and bid processes, and requested city action on neighborhood cleanliness and street repair.
One resident urged the receiver and council to be candid about water-authority discussions; another speaker called for residents and council members to attend a Philadelphia City Council meeting on April 9 to oppose continued trash shipments to Chester.
City staff responded with a summary of ongoing meetings with Casella. Staff said Casella collected roughly 64 tons of recycling in the first two months of the year (compared with roughly 74 tons in the first three months of 2025 under the prior hauler), described route adjustments to separate recycling from trash, and said the city is sharing monthly data received from the contractor. Staff also noted contractual remedies including a liquidated-damages clause but emphasized working in good faith to improve performance.
Residents also raised local concerns about a deteriorating building (the 'Deshaun' referenced in comments), requests for targeted street repairs and maintenance at neighborhood parks. Several speakers asked the council to increase on-the-ground responses to illegal dumping and to communicate more clearly about application processes for honorary street signs.
Council and staff acknowledged the complaints and pointed residents to the finance committee and public meetings for more detailed reconciliations and to upcoming coordination with the county on some projects.
The council did not take formal action on these public-comments items during the March 25 meeting; staff and council indicated follow-up work and additional public meetings would be scheduled where appropriate.
