Sign of Spring: Street-Sweeping Resumes

Meet Pelican. Meet Tornado. They’re about to sweep by your street.

City officials gathered Wednesday at Department of Public Works headquarters at 34 Middletown Ave. to put Pelican and Tornado on display and announce that annual Spring street-sweeping commences Thursday to clean up winter sand and salt.

Pelican, a three-wheel mechanical sweeper, is new to town. The Department of Public Works spent $225,000 on it upgrade from an old one.

The Tornado is a familiar visitor to New Haven streets. A broom and air machine, it will follow behind the Pelican on its round.

Officials encouraged residents to sign up for the city’s alert system, to keep up to date with street sweeping to move street parked cars in advance. (Sign up for the notification system here.) Day one Thursday will find the crew sweeping Wooster Square; click here for the full schedule.

Public Works Director Jeff Pescosolido, Transportation Traffic and Parking Director Doug Hausladen, Emergency Operations Director Rick Fontana, and Mayor Justin Elicker also reminded the community of the city’s new ticket-no-tow initiative, which will eliminate the option of being towed if cars on the street are not moved. Instead residents will be issued a $100 ticket, double the previous ticket amount, but without the extra charge (and hassle) for towing.

The city sweeps streets year-round. Last year 2,000 tons of debris was collected from street sweeping, said Pescosolido.

The city will continue to notify residents 24 hours in advance with red and white signs posted in neighborhoods to alert people to move their cars and avoid tickets.

Officials also encouraged residents to remind their neighbors to register for the city’s notification system, which sends alerts via text, email, and phone call. The notification system has been modified to keep street sweeping notification short and simple.