The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority (VIWMA) advises residents living on the West End of St. Thomas that effective Saturday, Aug. 20, it will reopen the Black Point Hill public bin site.
Steven Aubin, interim executive director of VIWMA, explained that the Black Point site was originally closed because of road traffic safety and operational concerns. It was consolidated with another closed bin location when the V.I. Port Authority (VIPA) provided the opportunity for VIWMA to open a centralized collection site at Bournefield.
According to a press release issued on Aug. 19 by VIWMA, the Bournefield site was a perfect location for expansion and future development of a new convenience center similar to the new center at Mandahl; however, with the Aug. 1 deadline issued by VIPA to vacate the site, VIWMA could no longer stage bins or plan for any future development at Bournefield.
“It is important to note that prior to the closure of Bournefield, we scouted various areas including the surrounding Bournefield community for an alternative location. With no immediate possibilities, West End residents were directed to existing bin sites within and nearest to the West End of St. Thomas,” Aubin said.
Options included:
1. The bin site at the top of Crown Mountain Road
2. The bin site near Shibui
3. The bin site at Caret Bay
4. The site adjacent to the Addelita Cancryn School
Accordingly, VIWMA made preparations and shifted resources in particular to the existing Cancryn site, which was the only site that could be expanded to hold additional bins. Instead of two bins, the authority expanded the existing site to four bins to accommodate the anticipated additional loads with the closure of Bournefield. Waste Management personnel formally located at the Bournefield site was also relocated to monitor the disposal of solid waste and reduce illegal dumping of prohibited items at the expanded Cancryn site.
With the assistance of St. Thomas Administrator Merwin Potter, the Department of Public Works and the VIWMA Solid Waste staff, road traffic safety and operational safety concerns are being addressed at the Black Point site and the adjacent public highway, according to Aubin.
When Black Point reopens on Saturday, the Cancryn site, which serves the Frenchtown community and surrounding areas, will resume its original two bin collection service.
“The authority is sensitive to the solid waste collection needs of the community and will continue to work to improve services in the short term as we plan for the future. The Black Point bin site represents a short term solution for collection needs. With adequate funding and resources, the authority plans to expand curbside collection where feasible and to develop convenience centers in strategic locations to increase efficiency and the level of service provided for all residents,” Aubin said.
For more information, contact the Office of Communications Management at 715-9100 or e-mail communications@viwma.org
