Trash Strike Update: Swampscott Withholds Republic Payments, Shuns Lawsuit

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott Town Administrator Gino Cresta said that while the town is withholding payment to Republic Services for the lack of recycling pickup during the ongoing sanitation workers' strike, he chose not to take part in a regional lawsuit against the collection company because of what he said was good communication and consistent trash services during the work stoppage.

Officials from six North Shore and Greater Boston cities and towns were in Salem Superior Court on Tuesday to press their case for health violation citations and additional resources from Republic Services amid the 22-day-old sanitation workers' strike.

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• Peabody Explores 'Breach Of Contract' Filing As Contract Talks Resume
• Towns Scramble, MA Leaders Mount Pressure On Republic Services
• 'Public Health Concerns Are Escalating': Trash Strike Crisis Grows On North Shore, Greater Boston
• 'All Unacceptable': Mayor Says Trash Collector Failing City Amid Strike

Last week, Beverly, Malden, Gloucester, Peabody, Danvers and Canton officials filed the complaint for injunctive relief to abate the public health nuisance resulting from what the communities called "Republic's failure to adequately collect and dispose of trash and recycling in our communities."

But Cresta told the Select Board during a 4-hour, 30-minute Tuesday night meeting that he did not deem it necessary to join the suit even as he seeks to offset the financial resources the town has poured into trash and recycling services, as well as police details, during the 23-day strike.

"Obviously, we're not paying them for July because we're not getting the services from them," Cresta said. "We are also trying to not pay them for June so we will have some leverage because they are not providing a service. They are also going to wind up paying for all the DPW overtime, who have been hauling the trash away."

Cresta said he meets regularly with the other 13 cities and towns affected during the Teamsters Union Local 25 strike, and was asked to be part of the lawsuit, but declined.

"I didn't sign up on the lawsuit because I believe I've had very good communication with Republic," he said. "They've helped us well with the dumpsters."

Cresta added that "we're going to reconcile with them at the end (of the strike)" but allowed that the strike situation may affect what the town ultimately decides when the contract with Republic expires next summer.

Cresta said earlier on Tuesday night that he had chosen not to pursue the permanent town administrator position as part of the ongoing search process — "there's a lot of concern that I may not be doing a good job (as interim town administrator)."

Cresta said the majority of the communities that did sign up for the lawsuit "were cities, that have mayors, and might have something to do with them wanting to get re-elected." While Beverly, Gloucester and Peabody are cities, Danvers, Canton and Watertown are town governments.

Multiple Select Board members commended Cresta and the DPW for their handling of the trash crisis.

Cresta said the DPW Yard dropoffs have filled between nine and 13 40-yard dumpsters during the three weekends. He said this weekend will be restricted to recycling since trash pickup is taking place, and some have taken advantage of the DPW dropoffs to "clean out basements and garages."

He said he hopes to open the yard for yard waste and possibly metal recycling next week if the strike continues.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)