STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 With New York City\u2019s trash containerization deadline months away, more Staten Island residents are reporting issues with delivery of their official NYC trash bin.<\/p>\n
Recently, Michael Monopoli \u2014 a homeowner from New Springville \u2014 contacted the Advance\/SILive.com<\/a> to say that while he ordered a NYC bin in the fall, it hasn\u2019t been delivered, and no one could tell him why.<\/p>\n Monopoli first ordered the official bin in late October. He explained that while he was told the bin would be dropped off by the end of November, it has yet to be delivered.<\/p>\n Over a dozen people have contacted the Advance\/SILive.com to say they are also stuck waiting for bins that were ordered months ago.<\/p>\n \u201cWe haven\u2019t gotten the bin, we haven\u2019t gotten our money back and we paid for it. I know it\u2019s only $47, it\u2019s not a big deal, but it\u2019s just the fact they\u2019re putting a gun to your head,\u201d said Philip Badalamenti of New Springville. <\/p>\n \u201cYou want to buy the bin, but then you don\u2019t get the bin,\u201d he continued. <\/p>\n Many who reached out ordered their bin in the fall, and all of them had yet to receive one. Others said they were frustrated with not getting answers about the status of their order.<\/p>\n For some, Monopoli\u2019s story was exceptionally familiar, down to the timeline of events.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is my story, it\u2019s exactly what\u2019s he\u2019s going through,\u201d said Mary Jo Kling of Huguenot. <\/p>\n Kling explained that, like Monopoli, she also ordered a bin in late October before calling in November to check the status. At that point, she was told that the bin was scheduled for delivery. <\/p>\n Also like Monopoli, Kling has still not received her order.<\/p>\n \u201cThat was Nov. 21, and then nothing happened for weeks after,\u201d she recalled.<\/p>\n The Huguenot resident said she is also concerned about what might happen if the ongoing delivery issues continue up until the bins are required.<\/p>\n \u201cIf it\u2019s mandatory come June, are we going to start getting fines because we don\u2019t have these bins?\u201d she asked. \u201cOr are they going to put this off for a year until everybody gets their bins?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis is the end of January, almost, and June\u2019s not that far away,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n In a statement, Councilmember Frank Morano said he would prioritize getting answers for residents and guarantee leeway in enforcing trash containerization rules until the issues are resolved.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m very concerned by what Staten Islanders are experiencing with the trash bin program \u2014 particularly seniors who ordered bins months ago and still have no delivery, no tracking information and no clear way to get answers,” Morano said.<\/p>\n \u201cI raised these concerns directly with the Department of Sanitation and am awaiting a written response on the status of deliveries, refunds, and enforcement timing,\u201d the South Shore Republican continued.<\/p>\n In addition, Morano\u2019s office said that over 100 constituents had reached out regarding ongoing issues with the bins. <\/p>\n When asked for comment, a Sanitation Department spokesperson emphasized that the agency \u201cdoes not make, sell or deliver these bins,\u201d additionally noting that it was \u201chandled entirely by an outside vendor.\u201d<\/p>\n