Visconti requests return to city’s shred days

  City Council President Gerry Visconti wants to see the city once again offer shredder truck services for residents who wish to shred their personal documents. During Monday night’s meeting, the council supported a motion made by Visconti to offer the services twice per year, once at Griswold Park and the other event in the Beachmont area.

  “This was brought to my attention by a couple of residents, and I wanted to bring it in front of you,” Visconti told the council. “This service has been provided by, I believe, the previous administration where a shredder truck was offered to the residents, and I would just like to bring it back if at all possible and have it down twice a year at two different locations, trying to service both ends of the city.”

  Councillor-at-Large Dan Rizzo said he supports the initiative. “This used to be done through the Consumer Affairs Office, so maybe we can coordinate or send a memorandum because they can set it up with the state,” said Rizzo. “They can set it up and the state will come in and do it for free. It’s a great service and I think twice a year would be good, especially as the city has grown; I think just one day in one location probably doesn’t make sense anymore.”

  Councillor-at-Large Steve Morabito noted that the Consumer Affairs Office used to have a consumer shred day, and the AARP also hosted shredding days in the past. “I definitely think we should go back and do this twice a year, and I think we should also make it in sync with spring cleaning, because that’s when a large portion of residents shred,” said Morabito.

  Visconti said the Consumer Affairs Office at the senior center does offer some small-scale shredding services for personal information, but that he believes residents need a large-scale option, as well.

  In other business, Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro presented a motion asking the mayor and police chief to look into the possibility of the city setting up a SafeTrade Station for the safe exchange of internet purchases. “I think it’s a good idea because of the number of internet sales we have on Craigslist and elsewhere,” said Cogliandro.

  Cogliandro said there are currently 18 cities in the state utilizing SafeTrade Stations, which are generally parking spaces on police department property or in a police station lobby where there is 24/7 monitoring.