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Resident urges action on roadside trash; council and staff outline cleanup steps
Summary
During public comment, a long-time resident urged Bridgeton leaders to prioritize cleanup of major corridors including Saint Charles Rock Road; the mayor and staff responded with planned public-works actions, additional contracted mow/trash pickups, and offers of equipment for volunteer groups.
A Bridgeton resident, Theresa, used the council’s public-comment period on Feb. 18 to press the city to address widespread roadside trash and debris along corridors such as Saint Charles Rock Road, Lindbergh and Natural Bridge, saying the conditions are discouraging to visitors and local business.
"It really hurts me to drive Saint Charles Rock Road...so much garbage that I say, dang," Theresa said, urging the council to redirect funds from decorative items to basic cleanup and to ensure streets present a better image to residents and travelers.
Mayor Briggs and staff responded that Public Works and the director would follow up. Public Works staff (Mister Gunn) said the city provides gloves, vests and pick-up tools to volunteer groups and that next week’s bid openings include contracts for mowing and extra trash pickups in the same four areas addressed in prior seasons. Gunn also noted limitations in hazardous locations where city crews cannot safely collect trash (for example, bags in high-speed interchange right-of-ways) and said he would coordinate with Republic Services and MoDOT about trash cans and pickups on state-owned corridors.
Council members echoed the concern: Sottel and others said some of the litter accumulates at the edge of plowed routes and in gullies and suggested stormwater/retention-pond maintenance or a retention-pond policy could be considered; staff said it will circulate the stormwater maintenance manual for detention basins and work on additional cleanup cycles this spring.
Next steps: staff will check with Republic Services and MoDOT about trash can maintenance and pickup schedules, open bids for contractor mowing and added trash pickups in targeted areas, and provide council with letters and social-media materials to notify residents ahead of repair schedules.
