Brannan Secures Unprecedented Sanitation Funding for District 43, Increased Service Already on its Way

There’s no reason to trash talk Councilmember Justin Brannan when it comes to sanitation.

The local pol—who, in the Council’s 2019 budget secured more money towards keeping Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst clean than any of his former predecessors—met with New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Kathryn Garcia on Thursday, August 23 to announce the increase in sanitation services in District 43.

Among the additions locals can expect, Brannan said, is two-day-a-week curb sweeping service, an additional one-day-a-week overnight street sweeper, new seven-day-a-week overnight basket pick-ups along all major commercial corridors and five-day-a-week daytime pickups along those same commercial strips.

The latter, he said, will go a long way towards reducing the overflowing cans and a recent spike in household dumping.

“My commitment to making this district the cleanest in the city is absolutely real,” said Brannan, who also stressed that the sanitation services can only work if done alongside help from the community. “It’s really got to be a partnership with residents and neighbors doing their share as well. The money that we’re allocating today, I think is going to go a long way. That said, you’re not going to snap your fingers and see immaculate streets – but we are going to get there.”

Garcia, who joined Brannan Thursday outside of his district office, 8018 Fifth Avenue, agreed, adding that the partnership between DSNY and the City Council has been “really wonderful.”

Working with specific elected officials, she said, helps the agency pinpoint which services communities actually need.

“I have a sign in my office that says there’s no Democratic or Republican way to clean the streets,” Brannan said, “and it’s really something that I live by. You’ve just gotta get it done.”

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