Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Residents are complaining, trash is piling up and Warsaw is eyeing a $25 fine for violators of the recently enforced trash regulations.
Members of the Board of Public Works and Safety said that penalties will soon be enforced for neighbors refusing to comply to the 32-gallon, lidded trash can requirement.
The decision came after the board heard complaints from Dennis Crumbley, who said he had seen a neighbor's trash remain in a front yard since December.
Street Department Supervisor Lacy Francis admitted to being aware of the situation, but refused to pick up the residents trash unless compliance is met.
"Don't get me wrong. I'm very satisfied with Warsaw's trash and shrub pickup," Crumbley said. "And I understand the leniency, but this trash needs to be picked up.
"When are they going to pick it up? When it becomes a landfill?"
The street department began enforcing the 1998 ordinance last year due to medical risks and increasing insurance costs experienced by the department. It continued to collect residents' trash but recorded the amount of violations at each property.
Letters notified violators of possible punishments and the city began refusing to pick up trash from residents refusing to abide by the rules after eight incidents of noncompliance.
"People need to be good neighbors," Mayor Ernie Wiggins said. "We've had residents come here questioning the rules, and we now have this incident.
"We even waited two months to consider the lack of compliant trash cans available in the city, but we're to the point where we begin to cite the $25 violation penalty."
Both BOW members Charlie Smith and Jerry Patterson supported the street department's decisions, and agreed with Wiggins that fines were in order.
First time violators will be charged a $25 penalty fee, and additional violations will cause the fine to double to $50. In the case that fines aren't paid, the city could put a lean on a violator's property.
"Enough is enough," Wiggins said.
In other matters, restaurant owner Jonnie Feng hoped the board would help resolve a matter of water damage the Great Wall experienced Jan. 5.
Feng said a sewage back up ruined $9,000 of the restaurant's inventory, and resulted in a $35,000 clean up expense. The restaurant was forced to close for two weeks while the cleaning process took place.
After discovering the backup, Feng notified the city and awaited an official from the Wastewater Works Utility to assess the matter.
Larry Hayden responded, and apparently found the sewage line was clogged by a plastic substance. WWU Department Head Dave Henderson said sanitary wipes had also led to the clogged line.
Though no investigation has taken place as to who is at fault for the backup, Warsaw's insurance denied Feng coverage of resulting expenses.
"I've run my business for 17 years with nothing like this ever happening," Feng said. "Why would it happen now?
"I would never have believed this would be so complicated."
Wiggins said he would look into a further investigation of the matter through the city's insurance company. He also recommended Feng find legal council.
"What I don't understand is, we have insurance for this. And if this isn't covered, when what is the insurance good for?" Wiggins asked.
