MANVILLE: Planned garbage rules include stiffer penalties

By Audrey Levine Staff Writer
   MANVILLE — Proposed fines that could be imposed for repeated violations of a garbage collection ordinance introduced last week had one resident trashing the plan.
   The Borough Council on Nov. 10 unanimously introduced an ordinance to regulate the collection and disposal of bulk trash items, garbage, municipal waste and solid waste in Manville.
   Public hearing for the ordinance will be held Nov. 24.

Weekly leaf pickup continues


   With the season for raking leaves lasting through Dec. 31, borough workers are making extra rounds to remove what is collected by residents.
   According to Department of Public Works Director Phil Petrone, the leaf vacuum will make one pass through town per week, depending on the volume of leaves collected. He said leaves can either be left loose at the curb, in biodegradable bags or in barrels.
   Residents are asked to not put the leaves in plastic bags or in recycling barrels.
   ”These will be tagged, but not picked up,” he said.
   Leaves will be picked up on the regular garbage days.
   In addition, brush and grass will be picked up on Tuesdays and, depending on the amount collected, additional sweeps for bags and barrels can be made throughout town during the week.
   After the end of the season, Mr. Petrone said, leaves can be picked up in barrels or biodegradable bags.
   ”We are trying to accommodate the residents,” Mr. Petrone said. “We thank them for their patience.”
   Contact the Department of Public Works at 908-725-5512 with any questions.

— Audrey Levine

   The proposed ordinance, which repeals two older ordinances, would revise regulations to comply with the N.J. Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) rules, according to Phil Petrone, director of the Public Works Department.
   ”This ordinance is to refine (our regulations) and bring them up to present NJDEP regulations,” he said.
   Mr. Petrone said the ordinance also outlines fines and other penalties for not complying with the ordinance — up to $2,500 in fines or up to 30 days imprisonment for repeat offenders — which resident and landlord John Mehalick deemed unfair.
   ”I think the violations are ridiculous,” he said. “If one of my tenants doesn’t follow the ordinance, why should I be penalized?”
   Councilman Ken Otrimski said that these penalties are only maximums for repeat and other offenders.
   In a separate interview, Mr. Petrone said that the borough sometimes has to deal with people bringing trash into Manville and dumping it into sewers or other locations. He said that these maximum fines are designed to account for those instances.
   ”People have been bringing garbage from outside the town into Manville,” he said.
   At the meeting, Mr. Petrone said the ordinance details all the processes for garbage collection, including what types of containers and bags can be used and how to purchase bulk trash stickers, which must be used in accordance with the schedules of pickup and the items being collected.
   The new ordinance amends one approved in 1995, and includes a few changes in wording and size requirements.
   Appropriate containers, according to the new ordinance, include those of galvanized metal or plastic, and not exceeding 45 gallons in capacity – the previous ordinance required containers to be no heavier than 40 pounds when filled.
   In addition, the new ordinance changes the size of plastic bags less than 2 milliliters thick from 40 gallons to 35 gallons. Substitute containers are also no longer allowed.
   The recently introduced ordinance states that containers must have a lid or cover, as well as two sturdy handles.
   According to the ordinance, bulk trash items will be collected on the first and third Tuesday of each month, but can be amended for holidays and other circumstances. In 1995, the approved ordinance only allowed for bulk items to be picked up between June 1 and Sept. 1 of any year.
   In addition, Mr. Petrone said, there are restrictions on what the borough will collect. For example, he said, the ordinance mandates that recyclable items will not be collected, nor will hazardous waste, masonry items, medical waste or household appliances containing freon.
   ”It is illegal for us to extract the freon from the item,” he said.
   Not all of these items were accounted for previously.
   Aside from these specifically restricted items, Mr. Petrone said, the borough will not collect trees or stumps cut down on private property by a private contract, or any materials resulting from construction or alteration work.
   ”That must be taken care of by the homeowner or contractor,” he said.