Did you know that a City of Madison resident pays only $8.44 per month for all the services provided by the Madison Streets Department? That includes collection of refuse, recycling, brush, leaves and yard waste. It also includes street sweeping, some street repair, graffiti and stump removal and mowing in many city medians. In winter months, there is snow plowing, salting and sanding to ensure roads are safe and passable.

Streets Superintendent Charlie Romines and Recycling Coordinator Bryan Johnson made a recent presentation to members of the Common Council, and I think we all learned something.

Superintendent Romines reported that he is working with Streets employees to increase efficiencies in the department. They are also assisting Madison Parks in collecting refuse at city parks. Street sweeping hours will increase by 3,000 hours. Current sweeping schedules have kept over 4,000 tons of debris from washing into storm sewers and lakes. Adding more hours of sweeping will keep even more harmful debris from our waters.

As we work to improve water quality, Streets is intent on minimizing and controlling salt use on our roads. Salt makes winter travel safe but eventually infiltrates our waterways, including our drinking water. We will soon be using scales to weigh salt trucks so we have exact measurements of the salt being spread. Trucks will be equipped with GPS systems to assist in monitoring and routing. The city will continue the Winter Salt Certification Program so public and private winter salt spreaders can work together to provide the safest conditions with the least harm to our waters.

There are over 200 men and women working in our Streets Department. Their work places them in intense conditions at times, from steamy summer days to snowy winter nights. So, let me say, “Thank you, Streets Division, for your hard work for our city.”

Stay well.