New City Trash Policies Will Target Abusers
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
Warsaw Public Works Superintendent Kim Leake predicts the new garbage ordinance won't affect many people.
But for those who abuse it, the new policy could mean some changes and a pain in the pocketbook.
In several votes Monday, Warsaw City Council granted final approval to a series of changes in the way the city deals with garbage.
For decades, the city has coped with people who abuse the service, but Monday's action sets new requirements and fines for violators.
The most sweeping change involves apartment dwellers and landlords. Apartments with three or more units will be required to use dumpsters placed on cement pads. Exceptions in which owners contend the use of dumpsters would be impossible must be approved by the city.
The requirement came as part of a compromise after the city chose not to require apartments to use a private hauler.
At some apartments, "you get 10, 12, 14 trash cans setting alongside the building and trash all over the place. This way, they'll have to have a dumpster," Leake said.
The city has a comprehensive list of apartments that fall into the guidelines and will be contacted about the new rule, Leake said.
Fines now exist for the following violations:
• Residential garbage normally left outside must be placed in trash cans with tight fitting lids. The rule does not apply to people who place garbage bags out the night before pickup.
• Freon must be removed from appliances, and hypodermic needles must be placed in special containers.
• Trash can't be transported in from outside the city.
• Large accumulations of trash will be removed by property owners.
"As far as services to the community, that's not going to change. It's just that they're not going to be abused," Leake said.
The city isn't concerned with somebody whose trash comes from a minor remodeling project. But in the past, some property owners have taken advantage of the situation, Leake said.
Those who will feel the brunt of the new ordinances will be landlords who clean out apartments and contractors who bring their trash home.
In both cases, they will be expected to haul away the trash on their own, Leake said.
The city will also pursue remedies against property owners whose vacant lots become overgrown with grass and weeds or become dumping grounds for debris.
In those situations, the city will seek cooperation of the owner or assess fines.
If that fails, the city could clean up the mess and then charge the owner the cost.
Most of the fines will be placed in a special fund that will cover the up-front expense of cleaning up the problem, Leake said.
The ordinance could lead to a cleaner city, Leake said.
"You're gonna see some of these properties take shape," Leake predicted.
Most of the fines are $25 for the first offense and $50 for additional offenses. Fines for transporting trash into the city illegally will be $50.
"Basically, the people that are being fined are the ones financing it. It's a good deal," Leake said. [[In-content Ad]]
Warsaw Public Works Superintendent Kim Leake predicts the new garbage ordinance won't affect many people.
But for those who abuse it, the new policy could mean some changes and a pain in the pocketbook.
In several votes Monday, Warsaw City Council granted final approval to a series of changes in the way the city deals with garbage.
For decades, the city has coped with people who abuse the service, but Monday's action sets new requirements and fines for violators.
The most sweeping change involves apartment dwellers and landlords. Apartments with three or more units will be required to use dumpsters placed on cement pads. Exceptions in which owners contend the use of dumpsters would be impossible must be approved by the city.
The requirement came as part of a compromise after the city chose not to require apartments to use a private hauler.
At some apartments, "you get 10, 12, 14 trash cans setting alongside the building and trash all over the place. This way, they'll have to have a dumpster," Leake said.
The city has a comprehensive list of apartments that fall into the guidelines and will be contacted about the new rule, Leake said.
Fines now exist for the following violations:
• Residential garbage normally left outside must be placed in trash cans with tight fitting lids. The rule does not apply to people who place garbage bags out the night before pickup.
• Freon must be removed from appliances, and hypodermic needles must be placed in special containers.
• Trash can't be transported in from outside the city.
• Large accumulations of trash will be removed by property owners.
"As far as services to the community, that's not going to change. It's just that they're not going to be abused," Leake said.
The city isn't concerned with somebody whose trash comes from a minor remodeling project. But in the past, some property owners have taken advantage of the situation, Leake said.
Those who will feel the brunt of the new ordinances will be landlords who clean out apartments and contractors who bring their trash home.
In both cases, they will be expected to haul away the trash on their own, Leake said.
The city will also pursue remedies against property owners whose vacant lots become overgrown with grass and weeds or become dumping grounds for debris.
In those situations, the city will seek cooperation of the owner or assess fines.
If that fails, the city could clean up the mess and then charge the owner the cost.
Most of the fines will be placed in a special fund that will cover the up-front expense of cleaning up the problem, Leake said.
The ordinance could lead to a cleaner city, Leake said.
"You're gonna see some of these properties take shape," Leake predicted.
Most of the fines are $25 for the first offense and $50 for additional offenses. Fines for transporting trash into the city illegally will be $50.
"Basically, the people that are being fined are the ones financing it. It's a good deal," Leake said. [[In-content Ad]]