Webster residents relieved, wary after 2 weeks’ worth of trash is finally hauled away

WEBSTER, Mass. — Trash was piled high on some Webster streets Friday morning.

“It’s horrible, it’s not healthy,” said Barbara Piechocki. “Number one, I worry about pests, about bugs. I’m sorry, it makes us look like a dump, it’s not good.”

Residents told Boston 25 News that Republic Services hadn’t hauled their trash away in two weeks.

“To me, it’s disgusting,” said Webster Town Administrator Doug Willardson. “People are paying you to do this, why is not being taken care of?”

Willardson said several waste removal companies service Webster, and about 30 percent of the town uses Republic Services.

“It smells bad like if we have our windows open, you can smell it in the house,” said Jakia Wilson. “I think it’s a safety hazard.”

Boston 25 News reached out to Republic Services to find out why the garbage wasn’t being removed. They sent a statement, which reads in part:

“Unfortunately, we recently experienced some collection delays in the area and are working to get caught up. Many industries are facing staffing challenges at this time, and the recycling and waste disposal industry is no different. Due to these staffing challenges, some collections in Webster have been delayed. Our team is working tirelessly to ensure that missed collections are addressed in a reasonable amount of time. Nationwide, there is a shortage of CDL truck drivers, which is affecting the recycling and waste disposal industry. We are actively hiring great people to join our team.”

While Boston 25 News cameras were rolling, a Republic Services truck pulled up to remove waste from one particularly impacted Webster street Friday afternoon. “I’m so grateful for these people who came back to come take the trash because it’s been like two weeks since we had the trash,” said Katia Sylney. “Hopefully it’s not going to happen again.”

“I’m so excited we can finally park our cars now because all the trash was taking up all the parking spaces,” said Kiara Irving.

While residents felt relieved, with the sight and stench still fresh in their minds, some are worried their trash could be left to pile up again.

“I would hope it doesn’t happen again,” Irving said. “It’s their job to take away the trash not ours, so somebody had to do it, I would hope it doesn’t happen again.”

Some people said they aren’t taking any chances.

“I have a list [of other trash removal companies] out on my desk right now, but I have to wait for them [Republic Services] to pick this up before I can do that,” said Piechocki.

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