Councilman David G. Greenfield announced that, as the result of collaboration between Community Boards 12 and 14, DSNY, and FDNY, an improved garbage collection schedule will be in place to assist neighborhood families as they prepare for Pesach, and a chametz burning schedule has also been approved.

“I want to thank Community Board 12 and Community Board 14, particularly Barry Spitzer, Yidel Perlstein, Shawn Campbell, Kalman Yeger, and Alvin Berk for their leadership and hard work to ensure that our communities will be able to enjoy a safe and pleasant holiday,” Greenfield said. “I would also like to thank the Sanitation Department and the Fire Department for working with us on this undertaking.”

As a result of the discussions with DSNY, the modified garbage collection will include the following measures:

· DSNY is already picking up bulk items and will continue to do so until Erev Pesach on April 22. DSNY is asking everyone who has bulk items to begin placing them outside for collection as early as possible.

· The entire district will get a recycling pickup on April 21 (bedikas chametz night), starting at midnight and going until 8:00 a.m. Friday morning. Everyone should put out their recycling on Thursday night.

· The entire district will also receive a regular garbage pickup on Friday, April 22, from 6:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Additionally, all bulk items and cardboard boxes should be tied up and placed neatly at the curb. All mattresses and box springs must be entirely wrapped, preferably in store-bought bedbug bags or in plastic. If a mattress or a box spring is left outside unwrapped, it will not be collected and a $100 fine may be issued to the household responsible. Electronic items may not be left out at all – instead, they should be delivered to a drop-off point located at 19th Avenue and 56th Street.

Bread burning will occur on Friday, April 22nd and must be completed by 11:34 a.m. For the safety of the community, the fire department will strictly enforce this 11:34 a.m. curfew. Only Chametz should be burned. Chametz should not be enclosed in silver wrap when it is burned, nor should any flammable or combustible items, be burned. No liquid accelerants should be used to ignite fires, nor should such products be thrown into any fires, as these items have caused serious accidents in past years. Fires may only be carried out at approved sites.

“I would like to thank all the city agencies, organizations and elected officials for taking part in this important meeting. It is only because of their hard work and dedication that Erev Pesach has become a day that the community can safely practice their religious customs,” said CB12 Chairman Yidel Perlstein.

“We greatly appreciate Councilman Greenfield’s effort to ensure that the Flatbush-Midwood community is included in this important program,” added CB14 Chairman Alvin Berk.

(YWN Desk – NYC)