Silver Lake Residents Get Reprieve From Trash Fines
Posted
Jen Gibson-jgibson@timesuniononline.com
SILVER LAKE - Residents who received citations for violating Silver Lake's new trash container ordinance in the last few weeks will not have to pay the tickets.
Two citizens attended the town council meeting Tuesday night and voiced concern about paying the fines, saying the literature about the new ordinance was "confusing."
The town recently passed a new ordinance requiring all trash be put in "receptacles" on trash day. After the ordinance was passed, the town sent out a mass mailing of flyers informing people of the new requirements.However, the flyer had graphics of a trash can and trash bags, leading some people to believe that putting the trash out in bags was included in the ordinance.
"Nothing in the flyer said that trash has to be in a can," said the citizen. "If you look up the definition of 'receptacle' in the dictionary, a trash bag fits it, a box fits it and a can fits it."
Council member Stanley Williams said the ordinance was created because animals, mainly cats, have been tearing up bags, causing trash to be scattered around the town before it can be picked up by the garbage trucks.
The citizens said they were not aware they were not supposed to leave bags by the side of the road for pickup.
"The flyer was not clear in any way," they said.
Council member Gary Kneller agreed with the citizens, saying that the flyer was confusing and suggested that all citations written to this point should be excused. Kneller suggested that a new, more easily understandable flyer could be mailed out before next week's trash pickup.
The council approved a motion to waive the fines for the citations and return the money already paid for the ordinance violations. They also agreed to define "receptacle" more clearly in the ordinance, making it say that trash must be put in metal or hard plastic trash cans for pickup.
Once the new flyers are sent out, the ordinance will be enforced and any new citations issued will be valid.
In other business, the council:
n Approved a motion to encumber $6,000 budgeted this year to buy new signs to install at the town limits. The town decided to purchase four 8-foot by 12-foot signs with wooden bases next year. The cost of the signs with installation is approximately $10,000.
n Approved a motion to accept the Kosciusko County Area Plan Commission's proposal to rezone the old funeral home on the east side of town. The property currently is zoned commercial, but if changed to residential, there is a potential buyer for it.
n Approved a wage of $7.50 per hour for a part-time employee to help with leaf pickup.
n Set Halloween hours for Oct. 31 from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
n Heard town cleanup day is Oct. 27. Citizens are allowed a 6-foot by 6-foot area for trash items. Hazardous materials, tires and shingles will not be picked up, and special arrangements must be made with Stafford Solid Waste for appliance pickup.
n Heard the juveniles who allegedly vandalized the town's gazebo have been caught. According to Town Marshal Craig Hollopeter, four juveniles have been accused of causing severe damage to the gazebo in the town's park. Hollopeter thanked Fire Chief Jasun Blocher for making repairs to the structure.
Silver Lake Town Council members are Ronald Jones, president; Williams and Kneller. Town clerk is Angie Glass.
