Politics & Government

Is Downtown Peabody Looking Any Cleaner Yet?

The city recently hired a point-person for landscaping and sanitation downtown, and he'll also will tackle the occasional citywide maintenance project as well.

If the downtown is looking a little cleaner lately, you can thank Brian Gaffney for that.

Gaffney was recently hired by Mayor Ted Bettencourt and tasked with picking up trash and roadside debris, maintaining public sidewalks and parking lots and keeping storm drains clear around the downtown.

Bettencourt's office says Gaffney was a former laborer with the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department and was appointed effective Oct. 1 as the point-person for landscaping and sanitation downtown.

“We have invested nearly $2 million to improve downtown Peabody and we expect millions more in public and private investment in the years ahead,” said Bettencourt in an announcement. “I want to make sure that Main Street and the surrounding area reflect our level of commitment in terms of cleanliness and maintenance."

That concern certainly resonates with shop owners and other stakeholders in the area -- the topic, or rather complaints, were mentioned more than once by several people who attended a recent community meeting to discuss future economic development plans for the downtown.

You can find Gaffney down around Main, Central, Foster and Walnut streets three days a week from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Occasionally, he'll also be dispatched to other areas of the city for special projects.

“We are happy to have Brian on board to focus on downtown upkeep and the occasional citywide maintenance project,” Bettencourt said. “He is a hardworking and conscientious individual and I believe he will do a great job for Peabody.”


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