Commercial trash pickup faces limits Change would take effect July 1 under proposed ordinance

Commercial trash
pickup faces limits
Change would take effect July 1 under proposed ordinance

The Borough Council has proposed revisions to Red Bank’s garbage ordinances that would put commercial properties on the same footing as residences in terms of frequency of municipal pickup of solid waste.

Under revisions to section 19-10, "Collection-Garbage, Ashes, etc. of Chapter XIX Streets, Sidewalks and Sanitation" of the borough’s general ordinances, the borough’s longstanding practice of providing five-day-a-week pickup to many commercial properties would end.

The ordinance, which would take effect July 1, would allow for twice-weekly curbside pickup of up to three cans of solid waste from commercial properties, the same level of service residents get. Commercial properties that require more frequent collection — a factor to be determined by the borough — would be required to contract with a private solid waste collector for that service. Commercial properties that use Dumpsters cannot get municipal service. The borough would continue to pick up recyclables in the commercial districts.

Private trash collectors would have to obtain a permit from the Red Bank Department of Public Utilities to collect solid waste in the borough. Properties with a mix of commercial and residential uses would be treated as nonresidential, or commercial, subject to the twice-weekly municipal collection limit.

Public and tax-exempt properties such as municipal buildings, firehouses, first aid squads and schools would still receive municipal solid waste pickup, but all other public buildings and tax-exempt properties would be treated as nonresidential and receive only twice-weekly service under the changes.

The revised ordinance also places enforcement authority with several municipal departments and establishes penalties for noncompliance.

The proposed Solid Waste Collection ordinance will have a second reading and could be adopted as early as the next council meeting Feb. 26, when the 2002 municipal budget is scheduled to be introduced.

The Borough Council Public Works Task Force has been studying Red Bank’s trash collection procedures with an eye to cutting back on the cost of daily pickup of commercial refuse.

According to borough officials, Red Bank’s annual trash collection cost is about $1.8 million. According to a 2000 study of solid waste collection by municipalities in the area, the major share of Red Bank’s trash collection cost is attributable to the high volume of commercial pickups provided by the borough as frequently as five times per week.

According to Red Bank Chief Financial Officer Bruce E. Loversidge, the borough’s tax rate is the same for residential and commercial property owners — $2.518 per $100 of assessed valuation. Of that, 67.5 cents is for municipal purposes.

Loversidge said any savings realized on a budget line item would mean the borough could opt to reallocate the amount to another area or program, or raise less money and pass the savings along to taxpayers in the form of a reduction in the tax rate. A savings of $96,000 would equate to a reduction of one cent per $100 of assessed valuation.

At the borough’s prompting, the business community has been studying ways to assume more of the burden for commercial trash collection. A Red Bank RiverCenter committee had been seeking a cost-sharing accord with the borough. According to the committee, twice weekly municipal pickup would leave businesses needing five day pickup in the untenable position of having to use two different trash haulers. The committee is attempting to establish central refuse collection facilities in the business district.

The revised ordinance provides for the continued pickup from residential properties of brush, leaves, recyclables, white goods, light metals, household furniture and bulky waste.

Materials which may not be put out for collection include construction materials, industrial waste, automotive parts, new and used motor oil, surgical dressings, syringes and disposable hospital-type items, hazardous waste, liquid waste.

In addition, occupants or owners of borough properties are barred from placing solid waste or refuse out for municipal collection which was not generated on premises.

The ordinance sets requirements for preparation and handling of the different categories of waste, including the type of trash receptacles.

Pickup of household furniture and bulky waste from residences will continue subject to the provision that each article not exceed 100 pounds or items not exceed a total of 2 cubic yards. No furniture or bulky waste will be accepted from mixed use or nonresidential properties.

Three trash receptacles per pickup will be permitted for residential and nonresidential units, and they may be metal or plastic, 32 gallon/50 pound capacity and have secure lids.

Nonresidential properties will be required to provide receptacles for storage of solid waste. Dumpsters at apartment complexes or residential condominiums cannot exceed 3 cubic yards. Existing Dumpsters legally placed can remain in place but new or proposed locations for solid waste collection must be approved by the head of the borough Planning Board and be reviewed by the borough Health Officer, Construction Official and Director of Public Utilities.

Solid waste must be placed in trash receptacles close to the curb after 6 p.m. on collection days and be removed by 7 p.m. on the same day.

Vehicles used by private collectors of solid waste, recyclables and waste materials must be kept clean, loaded and covered so contents don’t blow onto streets.

Applicants for building or demolition permits will be required by the construction code official to specify the disposal and recycling arrangements made to handle the waste generated. When the project is completed, records documenting the amounts of materials, the method of disposal, and the facility the materials were delivered to must be made available.

Violations will result in penalties and revocation of permits. A Certificate of Occupancy won’t be granted until the documentation is received and reviewed by the borough.

The changes give the Director of Public Utilities authority to regulate the schedule for collection of solid waste and recyclables. Enforcement authority is placed with that office and the borough Health Department, Code Enforcement Office, Construction and Building Department, Fire Marshall’s Office, and the Police Department, including the Parking Enforcement Officers.

Violations or failure to comply with the provisions of the ordinance will carry penalties. For the first offense, the penalty will be a $50 fine. Subsequent violations will carry a fine of up to $1,000 or up to 90 days in jail, or both. Persons convicted of violations will be ordered to perform up to 120 hours of community service.

Each incident and each day a violation continues will be punishable as a separate offense.