Refined Ordinance Will Hopefully Solve Trash Problem

A public hearing was held last night in to address proposed changes made to Ordinance #859: Garbage, Trash and Refuse. With the conversion to automated collection and single-stream recycling starting September 1, Public Works Director Paul DiMauro has re-written the guidelines hoping to reduce a garbage buildup issue that sidewalks, and to deter repeat offenders in all areas of Shelton.

Changes to the ordinance include:

• No more blue bins. All residents will be given a larger container for recyclables, and the kind of materials that can be recycled will increase significantly: cardboard, newspaper, different plastics, plant pots, phone books, etc.

• Hours. Cans must be put out no earlier than sunset or 6 p.m. the evening before collection day, and must be taken in within 16 hours after collection. "This is not meant to penalize anyone," DiMauro said. "Everyone is going to forget their cans at some point. No policeman is going to arrest you because a can is out. This is for the repeat offenders."

• Scavenging. The ordinance wording has been changed to "make it really clear" that ruffling through trash cans -- whether it's on a homeowner's property, sidewalk curb, the transfer station or any other location where trash is collected by the city -- is strictly prohibited. "I'll leave items that somebody may want on the curb and hope someone picks it up so they can get the benefit of it, but I don't want somebody going through my garbage can," DiMauro said.

• Penalties. Anyone who leaves large amounts of items in their yard/property to the point where it becomes a nuisance or health hazard will be given a five day notice to remove it; this is a change from the current 10 day notice. Additionally, the $250 fine for violation has been changed. First, a written warning will be given; on second offense a $100 fine will be issued and fines will increase with further violations but not exceed $250.

Concerns from the public:

• Size of new bins. If you're a homeowner or business owner, you will receive 96 gallon bins, and residents in condo developments will receive 64 gallon bins. If someone finds they are having trouble managing the 96 gallons, the city will replace their bin with the smaller size.
  
  • Sandra Miller, a resident of Aspetuck Village condominiums, raised concerns over the weight and bulkiness of the containers. "I just feel like a lot of this is overkill for people in condos, but I understand the city is doing it to save money and we're willing to cooperate but we're hoping there is a little leeway," she said. DiMauro said the new bins will have large wheels and are balanced very well, making them easy to maneuver and push around. He also assured that they will fit inside condo garages.

• Stolen bins. Since all trash and recycling bins will be city property, residents should file a police report of theirs is stolen and the bin will be replaced. If a bin is lost or damaged by the owner, it will need to be replaced at the owner's expense.

• Scavenging. Rob Vittori, a White Hills resident, said he is concerned scavengers will look for credit card offers and other personal information and that "the police should be taking that a little bit more seriously." Mayor Mark A. Lauretti said that although "there are many times when [the police department] can do nothing," all cases of scavenging should be documented. "There may be repetition in a particular neighborhood and this will be a red flag if several people call from the same neighborhood," he said.