With government financially strapped, the V.I. Waste Management Authority announced over the weekend it will be reducing hours of operation at Bovoni Landfill, and reducing or discontinuing several programs as austerity measures.
Effective February 21, 2011, the Bovoni Landfill will close two hours earlier, operating Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Operating hours on weekends and holidays will remain the same, 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to a statement from WMA.
The Anguilla Landfill operating hours will remain the same: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. on weekends and holidays.
St. John’s Susannaberg Transfer Station hours of operations will remain the same: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 7 a.m. to noon, weekends and holidays.
To help WMA meet its mandate to protect the health and environment, residents are reminded to take all bulk waste and white goods, such a furniture, bedding, refrigerators, and stoves, directly to the transfer station or landfills. Put all waste directly into the bins and not on the ground next to the bin to encourage a cleaner environment and reduce additional costs for removal of illegally dumped items. Residents should also flatten all boxes and other bulky items prior to disposing them.
Effective March 1, Saturday hours of operation for Household Hazardous Waste Collection Centers on St. Thomas and St. Croix will be discontinued. These facilities will continue to be open for operations Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WMA regrets to announce that several community outreach programs will be suspended until further notice. These include the following:
— Youth Employment Summer (YES) Program (Territorially)
— Community Enrichment Grant (CEG) Program (Territorially)
— The Greenhouse Program (St. Croix District)
Along with reducing public services, WMA has also taken steps to reduce administrative and overhead expenses, including vehicle fuel and energy consumption at offices and facilities, according to the authority. Longer term renewable energy projects to reduce operating costs are also in the planning phases.
“We are asking the general public to comply with these changes and assist the Authority in keeping our islands clean and to adhere to the guidelines for proper waste disposal. We thank you for your understanding and cooperation as we work together to weather the economic challenges and financial difficulties we all face on the Virgin Islands,” said May Adams Cornwall.
