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MEDFORD, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — People living in Medford are being asked to move their cars for the street cleaner—in some cases, via a loud wake-up call.
It was early Wednesday morning when Remy was greeted by the sound of a Medford Police siren, as well as a warning on the PA system that street sweepers were approaching.
"Extremely loudly, right outside our house," they told WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas. "They were just leaning on the button, it was very jarring."
Remy and their roommate just moved in two months ago, so they weren't familiar with the biannual occurrence.
Street sweepers make the rounds in Medford twice a year. Sweeping started again on Tuesday, November 12, and will continue through Wednesday, December 4, taking place each day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
There are warnings on the city's website and social media, as well as signs in Medford Square, but Medford Police Lt. Paul Covino said the sirens are a last resort.
"It's not magic to clean the street," he said. "There's big pieces of equipment that go out there. Cars block the side of the road where it needs to be cleaned, so we have to have some process in place."
He recommends residents do their own research when moving to a new city.
Brian Kerins, Commissioner of the Department of Public Works, said there's another method used to keep people informed, but it's one they have to opt into.
"I strongly encourage residents who are either long-term residents or new residents to make sure that they sign up for the reverse 911 program," Kerins said. "It is free.
It might be annoying, but Lt. Covino says, if anyone "has a better idea, we're open to it."
Street signs used to be posted, but with the rise of the internet, that's a thing of the past. Still, Remy said they wish the signs would come back.
"I mean, I would prefer the street cleaning signs," they said. "In Somerville, that works fine. I mean, it's a little annoying to have to move your car, but at least you know when you have to do it."
Residents can find out when their street is next on the sweeping list by checking the city's website.
WBZ NewsRadio's James Rojas (@JamesRojasWBZ) reports
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