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On Thursday, Thomas announced the launch of multiple initiatives from the DPW in an effort to revitalize the city’s infrastructure and improve the quality of life for local residents.
Planned projects include power washing “years of dusty grime buildup and bird droppings” under bridges to allow for signage, banners, and murals to welcome visitors to the city. “Dilapidated” streets that have been long neglected will be resurfaced, new handicap ramps will be installed and sidewalks will be repaired.
Thomas added that he plans to add illumination around the Fleetwood Train Station to create “a more visible and safer setting for residents and visitors.” Trees will also be trimmed to benefit homeowners and to remove branches near hazardous power lines.
According to Thomas, “Mount Vernon is known as being an ‘eco-friendly’ city (with) a DPW Parks division committed to continue planting trees to reflect the city’s eco-friendliness and demonstratively echo the city’s new growth.” He has reached out to both the community and his colleagues to assist him in the initiative.
“I am appealing to our colleagues on the county and state level to help provide our Department of Public Works with the vehicles needed to help clean up Mount Vernon,” he said. “Residents have been stepping up in a major way to help clean up the grime that affects our streets.
“There have been efforts made by some residents to start their own clean up efforts to support the work being done by the city, but it is not enough. I am calling on my colleagues in City Hall to help collaborate on clean up and help increase the quality of life for all residents.”
Mount Vernon DPW Commissioner Ralph Uzzi echoed his mayor’s call, adding that his department may face fines if they don’t receive some new equipment.
“We are facing equipment challenges that have setback our DPW crews that want to keep our city clean. Our department is still waiting on the council to sign off on the purchase orders for two new street sweepers that are a major need,” he said. “Similarly, our Environmental Protection Agency Compliance Order, which mandated the city to start working on fixing our infrastructure, has been in a holding pattern.
“Mount Vernon faces harsh civil and criminal penalties if they do not come into compliance. To start the process, we are awaiting council approval on a $40,000 engineering grant from the state. We are working hard to keep our city clean, but we need to collaborate.”
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