THE GREEN MACHINE Warren goes for a clean sweep

The new machine costs nearly $20,000.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The city's operations department will make a clean sweep of downtown and some of its venues this summer.
Mayor Michael J. O'Brien unveiled the sidewalk sweeper, called a Green Machine, by dropping a champagne flute donated by Gene's Jewelers, North Park Avenue, on the sidewalk so the machine could demonstrate its cleanup abilities.
"This will be used for the downtown, the Amphitheater, the Riverwalk and parking lots," O'Brien said. "It will probably be one of the most-used pieces of equipment in the city. It's been needed for years."
Robert Stahl, operations superintendent, said the machine, made by Applied Sweepers, costs nearly $20,000 and the city is buying it through a lease-purchase agreement.
"There's also a disinfectant we can put in it to use," Stahl added.
That will be especially useful in cleaning up around the Riverwalk and Amphitheater after geese leave their droppings, he said.
Usage schedule
Stahl estimates the sweeper, which is equipped with circular brushes and removable vacuum hoses, will be used weekly downtown and at the Riverwalk and Amphitheater as needed. Festival organizers who want grounds for their events swept up before the festivities must reimburse the city for overtime costs.
The vacuum hoses can be used to clean areas inaccessible to the machine.
The operator stands on the rear of the machine, steering it to areas requiring cleaning. Lights and a programmed announcement can be used to alert people to its approach.
Tristan Hand, president of the Downtown Warren Business Association, believes the machine will be an asset to the city.
"Anything and everything is an improvement," Hand said. "It will improve the quality of the area, the quality of downtown."