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With both the city and its residents recently addressing concerns over Warsaw's trash pickup, Burnis "Bubba" Flannery came before the council Monday seeking clarification of the newly enforced regulations.
An ordinance, established in 1998, requires residents to use a 32-gallon handled container with a lid for the safety of street department employees. Because of injuries and an increase in the cost of insurance, Warsaw began enforcing the rule in July 2005.
"I understand this has been on the books for a long time, but I've had trash cans damaged by workers, and, if I buy these new cans, I wonder how long they're going to last," Flannery said.
Flannery also said workers frequently refuse to replace the lids on cans, causing residents to become noncompliant if the top blows away.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins admitted the city had not been diligent in initially enforcing the ordinance but received full support from the council on the importance of residents complying for city employee safety.
"I see these guys going by on the trash trucks and I don't mind picking up my lids," Councilman Bob Morrison said. "It's a great service we have, and I wouldn't want to be in their shoes."
Street Department Supervisor Lacy Francis said violators were tagged with noncompliance notices four times before the department sent a letter informing an individual of the regulations. After the letter was sent, the department allowed four additional violations to occur before refusing to pick up that resident's trash.
"I think you've been a really good neighbor," council member Jeff Grose said. "And I hope the residents will realize that. I, myself, wouldn't be that patient."
Francis said many people purchased larger noncompliant containers after being notified of violations.
"That defeats the purpose of why we're doing this," he said. "Larger cans are only going to be heavier and a stress on the workers."
Flannery said he would cooperate with the new ordinance by buying new trash cans, but hoped the city employees would be more respectful of resident's trash cans.
"If we're going to follow the rules, then we need to go all the way. We need to put lids back on and take more care with the trash cans," Flannery said. "If we're going to take care of them, they need to take care of us.
"And there are other safety issues the city could be addressing as well."
Flannery said workers could be wearing clothing with better protection during trash pickup.
Wiggins thanked Flannery for his cooperation with the council, but addressed the issue of what would be done with those unwilling to cooperate to the city code.
"We have the availability for $25 penalties and $50 penalties for later violations because we don't want trash left out and ignored.
"I hope everyone will understand why we're doing this and comply with the rules, because we don't want to start issuing fines for noncompliance."
Wiggins also said that lengthening trash runs would force the city to hire more employees to cover the pickup routes, thus raising taxes on residents.
