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ST. THOMAS — The Virgin Islands Waste Management Authority annonced on Friday via press release that residents living on the West End of St. Thomas, as of next Saturday, will be able to use the Black Point bin site, as it will be reopened on that day.

Steven Aubin, interim executive director of W.M.A., said the Black Point site was originally closed because of road traffic safety and operational concerns. The site was consolidated with another closed bin location when the Virgin Islands Port Authority provided the opportunity for W.M.A. to open a centralized collection site at Bournefield, according to the release.

The Bournefield site was a perfect location for expansion and future development of a new convenience center similar to the new center at Mandahl, W.M.A. says. However, with the August 1st deadline issued by the VI Port Authority to vacate the site, Waste Management could no longer stage bins or plan for any future development at Bournefield.

“It is important to note that prior to the closure of Bournefield, we scouted various areas including the surrounding Bournefield community for an alternative location. With no immediate possibilities, West End residents were direct to existing bin sites within and nearest to the West End of St. Thomas,” Mr. Aubin said.

Options included:

The bin site at the top of Crown Mountain Road
The bin site near Shibui
The bin site at Caret Bay
The site adjacent to the Addelita Cancryn School

Accordingly, W.M.A. made preparations and shifted resources in particular to the existing Cancryn site which was the only site that could be expanded to hold additional bins. Instead of two bins, W.M.A. expanded the existing site to four bins to accommodate the anticipated additional loads with the closure of Bournefield.

Waste Management personnel formally located at the Bournefield site was also relocated to monitor the disposal of solid waste and reduce illegal dumping of prohibited items at the expanded Cancryn site.

Mr. Aubin said that with the assistance of St. Thomas Administrator Merwin Potter, the Department of Public Works and the W.M.A. Solid Waste staff, road traffic safety and operational safety concerns are being addressed at the Black Point site and the adjacent public highway.

When Black Point reopens on Saturday, the Cancryn site will resume its’ original two bin collection service. The Cancryn site serves the Frenchtown community and surrounding areas.

“The Authority is sensitive to the solid waste collection needs of the community and will continue to work to improve services in the short-term as we plan for the future. The Black Point bin site represents a short term solution for collection needs. With adequate funding and resources, the Authority plans to expand curbside collection where feasible and to develop convenience centers in strategic locations to increase efficiency and the level of service provided for all residents,” Mr. Aubin concluded.

For more information, contact the Office of Communications Management at 340-715-9100 or email [email protected] .