Paul Bass Photo
Four deliveries down. Eight to go.
That was the score at 9:45 a.m. Monday when Matt Smith began another week transporting Lowe’s refrigerators, stoves, dishwashers, washing machines, and toilets to customers around town.
Smith and his colleague Ty Leclair (aka “the beast”) began their day at the chain’s Milford location. They loaded up 12 stops’ worth of appliances.
After “smooth” drop-offs of dishwashers, they arrived at stop number four at Whalley Avenue near Sherman in New Haven. Amid a steady drizzle, they retrieved seven toilets one by one from the back of the truck, wheeled them to the entrance of a commercial building with first-floor storefronts, then delivered them to apartments on the upper floors. They worked steadily and methodically like two hands on a clock.
“It ain’t pouring, so it’s good,” Smith, who’s 37, said while lowering a box during a conversation on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program.
The deliveries that end up more complicated involve refrigerators too wide for entrances, thus requiring the duo to remove then reattach the door.
The toilets just needed dropping off. Some appliances require installation. “The trickiest is the washing machines,” Smith said: “Different wiring. It depends on what plug you have, a three-prong or four-prong.” And newfangled “smart” washers require digital expertise.
“Lifting heavy boxes — that’s what keeps me in shape,” he said. “This is my exercise.” That means he doesn’t need to work out when he gets home.
The Dixwell native still does play baseball, football, and basketball, as he has since growing up in the Pop Smith League and then as an outfielder and catcher for the Hillhouse baseball team and cornerback on the gridiron.
Smith, a 2003 Hillhouse grad, has worked the job for five years. His boss is a younger cousin he grew up with, Xavier Richardson, who owns the delivery company that contracts with Lowe’s. Smith is hoping to follow in his cousin’s footsteps and one day open his own business.
For now on Monday, the goal was “load them up at once … get it done as as quick as possible” through the remaining eight deliveries.
Asked for Monday’s Word on the Street, Smith responded: “It’s New Haven. I love New Haven!”
You can watch the full conversation with Matt Smith on the “Word on the Street” segment of WNHHFM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” program in the video above.
Click here to subscribe to WNHH FM’s “LoveBabz LoveTalk” and here to subscribe to other WNHH programs.
Click here and see below for previous “Word on the Street” episodes and write-ups.
Word On The Street: Kash Starts Fresh
Word On The Street: The Gig Cycle Spins
Word On The Street: Dumped Trash Disappears
Word On The Street: Job Interview Awaits
Word On The Street: Callaghan Suits Up
Officer McKernan Refuels For Double Duty
Word On The Street: Fred Keeps Moving
Word On The Street: Mimosa Mania
Word On The Street: Terry Hands Over The Brakes
Safety Hunter Keeps Eye On The Rising Tiers
Leather’s Grandson Returns To The Soil
Jorge Opens A Door
Word On The Street: Dad Awaits The Call
Word On The Street: Bridgette Beats The Sun
Word On The Street:“Blessed,” & Ready For Busy Barber Season
The Word On Brownell Street: Call Luciano
Nana Readies Leaf Bag #32
Word On The Street: Groom Plans Hectic Holiday, Needs Car Back
The Word On Garden Street: Turkey Times Two
Dr. J Clears The Way
Estelita Makes The Journey Back Home
Butts, Burger King Wrappers Vanish At Wendy’s Drive-Thru
Skateboard J Does A 360
Word On The Street: The Banana Vote Emerges
Word On The Street: Sprinkler Heads
Word On Orchard Street: Cheap Gas
Word On The Street: Keep On Truckin’
Martin Readies 1 Last Bridge To Nature
Word on the Street: Call Her“Queen”
Word on the Street: Coach Lance Called It
Word On Dixwell: Scooter Saves Gas
Budding Architect’s Word On The Street: New Haven’s More Laid Back Than Hong Kong
Word On Street:“Smell Good In Your Hood”
Blood (Pressure) Talk Comes To Barber’s Chair
Word On Street: Rizzo Can Stand The Heat
The Tomato Plot Thickens
Without Illusions, Lamont Stewart Makes The Most Of His Morning Walk
Pro-Punk Poet Prof Starts Summer Stretch
Barista Soaks Up New Hometown Flavor
Word On The Street: Park Pre-Work Workout Sets The Tone Homeless, & Working Exit 5
Aldo Salazar Does The Circuit
Brisa Mendoza STEMs The Graduation Tide
Timmy Turner Takes The Long View
Bike To Work Week Pulls Up To State Street Station
He’s Making Sure Soldiers Won’t Be Forgotten
Legion Ave. Rite Aid Closing; Actor Bummed
Word On Church St.: Drugs Are Everywhere
Indoor“Sunrise” Breakfasts Resume For The Hungry & The Homeless
“VillaFame” Has Designs On The World
Cherry Trees & NFTs Blossom In Wooster Square
9th Square Grows On New New Havener
Warbler Watcher Waits In The Woods
Reggie Gibson Makes A Clean Sweep
Sorry, Wooster Street: This New New Havener Has His Eye On Whalley Pie
Demons Stalk Methadone Run
Surveyor Bundles Up
Grandpa Boyd’s Toes Froze
Jay Jordan Shows Up Early For First Day At Mickey D’s
Track Champ Sets Sights On Firehouse
Can Collector Seeks Redemption
Reborn Stetson Library Opens Its Doors
Mom Prays To Pause Violence
Commuter Rolls With Switch To Train
Word on the Street: Math
Word At The Barber Shop: Ukraine Needs Our Help
Word On The Street: Pain At The Pump
Hamden’s Female Leadership Team Marks International Women’s Day
Taylor Picks Up Her Step
Wednesday’s Word on Grand:“Survival”
Turbocharged Community Soup Kitchen Plans Return To Indoor Dining
Prof On Track To Put Pain Behind Him
Word on The Street: New Beginnings
Lyric Hall Goes With The Flow
1 Valentine’s Day Later, Love Survives
Budget Airline Celebrates 100 Days At Tweed
Bobby’s Not Snitching »Grill Goes Cold After Inspector’s Visit
(Waste)Water St. Report: Omicron Still Fading
Word On The Street: Love Rides On Metro-North
Strolls Keep Soulmates On Life’s Path »Word on the Street: Where’s There’s Smoke …
Dude, Where’s His Car?
Word On The Street:“Level Up”
Word On The Street: Paying Rent, Staying Safe
Word On The Street: Brrrr!
Word On The Street: Caffeine
Word On The Street: 10 AM Georgia Hots
