Trash ordinance passed

by Gina Rullo, Gazette Staff Writer

HAMMONTON—Several changes to the town trash collection were included in an ordinance that passed first reading by a vote of 4 to 3 during the regular meeting of the Hammonton Town Council on March 17.
Mayor John DiDonato, Councilman Jerome Barberio, Councilwoman Tracy Petrongolo and Councilman Edward Wuillermin voted for the ordinance and the changes to the town’s current trash collection program.
“It just has a variety of problems associated with it. I just think we would be better served by having the highway department involved with other things, and the code enforcement people involved with other things,” Wuillermin said.
Councilman James Bertino, Councilman Anthony Marino and Councilman Jerry Vitalo voted against the measure.
“This is a no-brainer. No,” Vitalo said as he voted.
DiDonato said the issue had more to do with how the town looked than saving money.
“I don’t look at this as a financial issue. People like the toters, that they’re clean and neat. People tell me they don’t like to see the trash, mattresses and furniture on the streets as they drive into town,” DiDonato said.
Bertino said he felt the changes would make a difference in a negative way.
“I’m concerned it will have the opposite effect of what you intended,” Bertino said.
Petrongolo suggested phasing in the changes. The council agreed to set a June date to begin the new trash collection program.
The ordinance amended several sections of Chapter 241 of the town code related to trash collection, including the following:
• Refrigerant items will no longer be picked up at curbside.
• Garbage collection shall expressly not include paper, ashes and rubbish.
• Toters shall be placed a minimum of 4 feet from vehicles, mailboxes, recycling containers, other containers (toters) or any other obstruction that will interfere with the automated trash truck’s ability to safely and properly access the toter.
In addition to these changes, other modifications were made to the trash ordinance, including:
• The collector shall have the authority to refuse collection services for failure to comply with the provision hereof.
• All grass, weeds, lawn clippings and similar growths shall be placed in a biodegradable bag so that they may be readily emptied into the municipal collection vehicle, on the first full week of each month.
• Brush and tree trimmings shall not exceed five feet lengths and must weigh less than 30 pounds. Pickup by the town’s chipper truck shall be the first full week of each month.
• Household furniture will be accepted at the town’s convenience station. However, the town reserves the right at any time to modify the items accepted by posting at the entrance to the convenience center.
• Large bulky items, including, but not limited to, refrigerators, stoves, beds and crates, will be accepted at the town’s convenience station. However, the town reserves the right at any time to modify the items accepted by a posting at the entrance to the convenience center.
• Lumber, shingles, wallboard or other building material or debris will be accepted at the town’s convenience station. However, the town reserves the right at any time to modify the items accepted by posting at the entrance to the convenience center.
• Paper or plywood drums will no longer be collected by the municipality.
• When a residential user elects to clean up accumulated refuse from cellars, back yards, alleys, attics and spare rooms and excess furniture, it shall be the obligation of the residential user to transport the debris to the town’s convenience station. These items will not be picked up at curbside. However, the town reserves the right at any time to modify the items accepted by posting at the entrance to the convenience center.
In addition, leaves must be placed at the curb and bagged in biodegradable bags, per the municipality’s recycling regulations under the ordinance.
Other changes include:
• Purpose of the ordinance be repealed in its entirety.
• Fees imposed; stickers; application and use repealed in its entirety.
• Construction waste be repealed in its entirety.
• Senior citizen discount be repealed in its entirety.