Even in temperatures measuring over 100 degrees, the Mineola Sanitation Department picks up the village's refuse every weekday.

In fact, according to Fred Deodato, sanitation supervisor, the workers are out there in all types of weather from rain to sleet to snow.

"I can't think of a day in 30 years when we did not work," said Deodato. "We never lost a day."

Though Deodato admitted that there have been other days just as hot as those part of the recent heat wave, according to the 30-year-veteran, a hot day is a hot day. "Who is going to squabble if it's 102 or 99."

To beat the heat, the workers begin their day earlier, which means before 7 a.m. They also wear T-shirts and drink from the buckets of ice and bottled water at the Department of Public Works. "A friendly sprinkler doesn't hurt if you go into a backyard," commented Deodato.

If workers are overcome, they are brought back to the garage to cool off.

Coupled with the heat, the strenuous work takes its toll. Each worker will have walked three miles during the course of the day, and helped dispose of an average truckload of eight to 10 times the truck's capacity.

"It's a very physical job," said Deodato.

Monday is the day for route A and yard waste for the entire village. Tuesday is the day for route B and recycling for the entire village. Wednesday the entire village is collected. Thursday is A and newspaper pick-up and Friday is B and general cleaning and maintenance throughout the village. Metal is picked up Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The workers - 25 full time, and six seasonal - make approximately 3,000 stops daily - 6,000 on rubbish day - throughout the village, an average of 500 stops for each of the six garbage trucks in the Mineola fleet.

"We just get out there and do the job," explained Larry Randazzo, sanitation worker. He added a vote of support for the program. "When you have a supervisor like Mr. Deodato then you know the job is getting done."

Their work has not gone unnoticed. Said Mayor John P. Colbert, "The employees, all the employees of the village, have worked very hard to keep the suburban quality of life in Mineola."