While it may not be likely that city sidewalks will be lined with discarded televisions because of early next year's national switchover from analog to digital, the city seems ready - just in case.
Beginning Feb. 17, 2009, many older televisions receiving a signal through an antenna will need a digital-converter box to pick up over-the-air stations.
Sarah Davis with the city's Recycling Department said on Monday that CRT Co., which the city has a contract with to pick up televisions or computer monitors, will schedule extra pickup days on Tuesdays after the switchover to accommodate extra calls.
She said the company already makes pickups on Saturdays.
Public Works Director John Tashjian said he didn't foresee many residents throwing away working televisions when they could buy a converter box.
Ward 6 Councilor Robert Waddick said while's he glad the city has the service with CRT, he said it's frustrating because those people who want to schedule a pickup have to do so by listening to a recording.
Waddick said he ran into the problem when he scheduled a pickup, but his house was skipped over.
"It's a great service, I'm glad we have it," Waddick said. "But I couldn't get through to let anyone know - you missed me."
Clean up help
Ward 9 Councilor Robert Logan last month asked that more trash bins be added along Moody Street because the receptacles there were overflowing.
On Monday, Logan presented to the council's Committee of the Whole a list of seven new locations that he's proposed bins be put up: At 237, 267, 318, 424, 709, 750 and 811 Moody St. Logan and Council President Thomas Curtin suggested at last month's committee meeting that the city might want to consider scheduling more trash pickups along Moody Street.
Watch Factory
The council's Ordinances and Rules Committee will continue its review of the Watch Factory on Crescent Street as councilors asked for more information on how much traffic the development is expected to generate.
Berkley Investments Inc. has asked for special permits to build 96 loft-style apartments there and wants to also rebuild two nearby parking lots on Cherry Street and Brown Street.
Logan said several streets could see significantly more traffic with the redevelopment of the buildings, including Charles Street, Felton Street and Curtis Street.
The Watch Factory will be built in three phases. The first will include 160,000 square feet of office space. The second phase will include the apartments and two restaurants. The third phase would feature an additional 77,000 square feet of office space.
