SalemNews.com : Blogs : Heard in Beverly

Recycling bins on Baker Avenue.

The city continues its amazing progress in recycling, Mayor Bill Scanlon told the City Council last night.

Scanlon said the city reduced the amount of trash it produced by 8 percent in October compared to October of 2008. Recycling has improved every month this year over last year, he said.

If the trend continues for the next two months, the city will have reduced its trash disposal by 5386 tons, or 29 percent, from 2006 to 2009, Scanlon said.

Here’s a look at the City Hall staff, including Mayor Bill Scanlon, as you’ve never seen them before.

The staff dressed as the characters from the “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” movie for the Beverly Main Streets trick-or-treat celebration on Oct. 29.

The cool costumes were designed by Jane Murphy of the City Clerk’s office, who made them all from supplies she picked up at thrift shops.

Shown from left to right in the back row are Larry Page, John Dunn, Kim Avery, Mary Ellen Donnell, Gale Page, Connie Linscott and David Gelineau; front row, Mayor Scanlon, Jake McLaughlin,  Jodi Rogers and Sam McLaughlin.

A reminder that the Centerville Improvement Society is holding a Candidates Night tomorrow night at 7 at the CIS building, 437 Essex St. Candidates for mayor, councilor at-large, Ward 6 City Council and Ward 6 School Committee are scheduled to appear.

The format calls for candidates to make statements and answer questions from the audience.

Call it a mini-mayoral debate.

At last night’s City Council meeting, Ward 3 Councilor and mayoral candidate John Burke (far right) asked Mayor Bill Scanlon why residents aren’t getting a break on the trash fee as a reward for improved recycling.

The issue came up when Scanlon, who is running for reelection, told councilors that the city is continuing to reduce the amount of trash it throws away every month. Burke took the opportunity to reiterate his position that residents deserve to be rewarded with a reduction in the annual $100 trash fee.

Scanlon said the money collected through the trash fee helps to free up money that would otherwise be spent on trash disposal costs.

“It helped us keep the Cove School open, for instance,” Scanlon said.

And in a remark that might encapsulate the race, Scanlon said to Burke, “You and I just see this differently.”

For an early look at the new fire truck that’s scheduled to arrive in Beverly next month, check out out the Beverly Fire Department web site. The truck costs about $900,000, according to Mayor Scanlon.