Morton takes action to crack down on dumpsters

MORTON >> New rules regulating the use of dumpsters and portable storage containers in the borough are now in effect in the borough after action by council at its August meeting.

“Whereas, dumpsters can attract vermin and insects, create an attractive nuisance for children, infringe on parking and vehicular movement and detract from the safety and aesthetic value of neighborhoods ...” is the opening paragraph of the eightpage ordinance, followed by a myriad of other reasons for the crackdown as well as reasons for the need of such containers.

Permits are required for the placement of dumpsters or portable storage containers. No permit will be issued for placement of one or more dumpsters on a street or public grounds unless placement on private property is not reasonably feasible. Permit fees for dumpsters placed on commercial property is $50 as well as for any extension requested. No permit fee will be required for placement on residential property for up to 90 days. After that, a $50 fee will apply. For placement on a public right of way to service a residential property, no permit is required for up to 30 days. After that the fee is $50.

Hours for transport or service of dumpsters or portable storage containers cannot take place from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m., and when not in use all dumpsters shall be covered with a tarpaulin or otherwise secured, to prevent debris from blowing out of the container and only one dumpster or PSC may be placed on any property at one time. Also, duration of permits is covered in the ordinance, ranging from 30 to 180 days,

The condition of dumpsters or PSC must be free from rust, peeling paint and other forms of deterioration and may not contain any excessive advertising beyond the identification of the company name and phone number. No signage may exceed 3 square feet in space. The ordinance covers placement in residential districts, use restrictions, emergency removal and penalities for violations of the law.

A second ordinance approved by council deals with prohibited parking at all times in certain locations in the community where parking has created dangerous conditions. The areas are the north side of Bridge Street, 20 feet west from Taylor Avenue; north and west side of Highland Avenue, 130 feet west from Alfa Terrace; north and west side of Highland Avenue, 40 feet south from Providence Road.

In another matter, council will apply for a grant from Delaware County Council’s Greenway program. The proposal is for the borough to acquire 11,000 square feet of the McGrath property next door to the borough hall that is directly adjacent to the Sycamore Woods, increasing that open area by 25 percent. If approved, the borough would have to come up with 10 percent matching funding. No dollar amount was finalized at the meeting.

Applications must be submitted to the county by Sept. 9. Grant awards will be announced the third week in October. If approved, the borough will have three years to implement the plan.

During the public comment portion of the meeting, several children from Providence Road presented hand made thank-you cards to council for the recently installed series of speed humps on Providence Road, which is a main thoroughfare in the borough. Residents of the street lobbied council for several years to install speed restriction devices on the roadway to make the street safer. Residents noted that there are many children who live on Providence Road and cannot play in their front yards because of speeding. There have been several accidents in which vehicles have wound up on residences’ front yards.