Photo of the city’s new street sweepers courtesy of City of Newark

Photo of the city’s new street sweepers courtesy of City of Newark

The City of Newark, N.J., has purchased eight new street sweepers as part of an effort to bring back street cleaning operations, save money, and improve the city’s sanitation services.

Previously, street sweeping services were contracted out to a vendor. City officials decided to let its contract with the vendor lapse, taking on the service internally as a result of resident complaints and the city’s dissatisfaction with the vendor’s services.

“This move will save the city nearly $2 million annually and allow us to monitor and improve on the street sweeping services,” said Mayor Ras Baraka. “The city is committed to enhancing the quality of life for our residents and by eliminating the middleman vendor, we will be able to respond more effectively to citizens' concerns about sanitation services.”

According to Khalif Thomas, director Public Works, the city is now preparing to bring on new drivers with commerical driver's licenses to operate the machines.

“Newarkers know our neighborhoods and can appreciate the way that the streets should be cleaned,” Thomas said. “We are depending on their commitment to improving these services.”

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