Category Archives: Public Works
A New Year, A New Trash Collection Company In Pennsauken
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works
For the first time in over 20 years, Pennsauken residents will have their trash picked up by a different trash collection company.
Celebrating National Public Works Week In Pennsauken
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works
The week of May 20 is dedicated as “National Public Works Week.” Each year, the American Public Works Association (APWA) chooses a theme. According to the APWA, this year’s theme, entitled, “The Power of Public Works,” “gives voice to the impact the many facets of public works have on modern civilization.” The APWA’s overview includes some of the less glamorous functions: solid waste disposal, removing snow and the unseen work, such as emergency management response strategy planning for disasters. The latter part of the overview reads “and invites the public to celebrate their quiet dedication and indispensable influence on our way of life.”
When Pennsauken Was 125… It Was A Very Good Year
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works
I hope that you and your loved ones found the holiday season to be enjoyable! We at the Department of Public Works look forward to serving you again this year. As we hope for a mild winter, here are a few items we’d like to share with Pennsauken residents.
Public Works Weekend Leaf Collection, November 18
This Saturday, Nov. 18, Pennsauken’s Department of Public Works will start collecting leaves in the East Pennsauken/Chadwick/Meadowbrook section of town.
For residents in these areas that miss this collection, or for those whose leaves have not yet been picked up, a reminder that leaves that are in cans or bags less than 50 pounds will be picked up by Waste Management on Wednesdays. In addition, Public Works makes two trips in each section of Pennsauken for leaf collection before operations shut down at the end of December.
A New Recycling Initiative, Benefiting The Environment And Pennsauken
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works
The Camden County Division of Environmental Affairs has embarked on a new initiative to expand the recycling efforts of all towns of Camden County. Pennsauken Township has already begun outreach initiatives to businesses and is looking to expand to religious institutions, schools, and our residents.
Trash, Recycling, And Yard Debris Collection Issues
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works
Many of us have the weekly ritual of placing trash and recycling at our curb the evening before collection day and on Tuesday evenings for yard debris. I’m fairly certain that the enjoyment of bestowing this duty upon one’s children is a contributing factor for bringing life into this world. The certainty of the task itself is right up there on the list with other inevitabilities like death and taxes. This chore has to happen whether it’s hot or cold; rainy or dry; or if you’re tired, sick, or just feeling lazy!
Summer Storms, Yard Debris And Tree Contractor Precautions
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works
Friday, June 23 will mark the second anniversary of the short but expansive storm our region sustained damage from. You may recall that day, when massive winds came through for about 20 minutes, leaving its impact on a majority of our town, causing trees to fall into streets and homes, ripping electrical service cables off of homes, and creating tons – and I mean tons – of tree debris. The Pennsauken Office of Emergency Management submitted documentation of Public Works overtime records, along with other Township departments, to FEMA for reimbursement of the unplanned expenses.
Celebrating National Public Works Week In Pennsauken
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works
The week of May 21 is dedicated as “National Public Works Week.” To kick off this article, I’d like to quote the American Public Works Association (APWA). “This year, National Public Works Week celebrates the vital role public works plays in connecting us all together. As the cornerstone of civilization, public works provides, maintains, and improves the structures and services that assure a higher quality of life for our communities. Its streets, roads, bridges, and public transportation keep us linked together from coast to coast, and its clean water and sanitation services keep us healthy and allow our communities to grow and prosper. The APWA proudly salutes and thanks the tens of thousands of public works professionals who work tirelessly throughout North America every day to strengthen the bond that keeps us all connected.”
Food Truck And Touch-A-Truck Event Cancelled
As several food trucks have backed out because of the weather forecast and there is a threat of thunderstorms late afternoon/early evening, the Food Truck/Touch-A-Truck event scheduled for May 25 has been cancelled.
Spring Cleaning In Pennsauken: Not Looking Too Bad For 125
By Joe Scavuzzo, Director, Department of Public Works
As 2017 pushes onward, ushering my fellow residents and I along our town’s 125th anniversary or “quasquicentennial,” I step back to take a look at our big picture.
As with most weighing of past and present, there are considerable differences. For instance, back in the late 1800s, the latter part of this article would not apply to early settlers of Pennsauken. Fast forward a bit, perhaps to the middle of the 20th Century around the 1970s. I think about the landfill here in town on River Rd. and all the items currently located towards the bottom of that site: TVs, cars, loose tires, fluorescent light tubes, endless amounts of hazardous waste not classified at that time. I ask myself, “How did we get to this point with all of the environmental awareness, regulations, etc.?” The answer I stumble upon is consistent, no matter the decade nor century the question is asked in: we adapt. I am tempted to begin a grand sentence with “Since the beginning of time.” However, I can see my wife rolling her eyes; so I will refrain. It comes down to this: we as a Township will adapt to the challenges we face. Whether it’s illegal dumping and littering, vacant and abandoned properties, or how to get rid of a TV, Pennsauken will step up to remain the friendly place to live and grow. That’s the mindset of your local Public Works Department; that’s the service we aim to provide.
