GREENFIELD — In uncertain times like these, Department of Public Works Director Marlo Warner II says Greenfield residents can be sure their water is safe and their trash will be picked up as usual.
“I consider us the third arm of public safety,” Warner said. “We’re making sure people are safe in our own way during this COVID-19 pandemic.”
Warner said the 67 city employees who make up the DPW are either working or are on call, so if there are any emergencies, the city can respond immediately.
“We are considered ‘essential personnel,’” he said. “We’re focusing on solid waste, wastewater, disinfecting public buildings and infrastructure.”
Warner said city custodians are disinfecting city buildings daily. Even though the buildings are all closed to the public, some employees are working from their offices at least part of the time.
“A lot of what we do is behind the scenes,” he said. “You might not see what we’re doing, but we’re doing it.”
He said trash and recycling pickup is going on each day as it was scheduled before the pandemic hit. He said employees at the wastewater treatment plant are making sure everyone has good water, not only for drinking, but for washing their hands, which is so important to fend off the virus.
“We’re doing the usual sampling, everything we typically do at the wastewater treatment plant,” he said. “There are four operators and two supervisors at the plant. Both shifts work one week on and one week off, though the people who are off on a given week are on call in case there’s an emergency.”
Warner said the DPW got approval from the state to alter staff and work rotating shifts. He said he doesn’t want all employees working with each other, because if one develops symptoms, all would have to self-quarantine.
While trash and recycling pickup is happening as usual, the transfer station is open and taking precautions. He said the eight-person crew is working a rotating schedule, wearing masks and moving people along so they don’t congregate. The staff member who collects payment is in full protective gear.
When needed, Warner said employees of the parks and forestry departments fill in for the DPW.
He said while the DPW is responding to emergencies like sewer backups and water leaks at homes, it is not responding to more minor, non-emergency problems at people’s houses.
Warner said there have been no cases or suspected cases of COVID-19 within the department at this point, but said he realizes that could change at any time. He said he’s proud of his employees because they are practicing social distancing and other safety measures both on and off the job to keep themselves healthy.
The DPW has put city parks and ball fields on the back burner at this point because they aren’t being used, Warner said, while excavations for the city’s annual paving program have begun with social distancing in mind.
“It’s easy for employees to practice social distancing in those instances,” he said.
Warner said city engineers are continuing to work with contractors to permit projects, though it has been “extremely slow.” Permits can be handled through email, mail, by dropping documents off at 189 Wells St. (in outdoor mailboxes) or by calling the department.
“There are other infrastructure projects moving forward,” he noted. “We’re moving ahead with the Leyden pump station project and the anaerobic digester project.
“We aren’t necessarily considered being on the front line like police and fire,” he added, “but we’re working behind the scenes to keep things as normal as possible for our residents.”
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