City to enforce curbside collection law

ONEIDA >> The City of Oneida is dusting off another seldom-used piece of city code in conjunction with the beginning of the spring cleanup schedule on May 9.

Mayor Leo Matzke said the city is going to start enforcing the waste disposal regulations dictated by city code §147-4. The section of law lays out the mandates for trash and recyclable collection as well as littering. Included is the collection of green waste material, which will run from May 9 to Oct. 25.

In particular, the city will monitor residents’ placement of their curbside collections in an ongoing effort to cleanup the city, one of Matzke’s goals since taking office in January. According to the city code §147-4 B, residents must place their waste between the curb and the sidewalk, not leaning on the edge of the curb or in the road. The rule has been in place for many years, the mayor said at the latest common council meeting, but the law was virtually unused.

The law states: “Curbside” shall mean within five feet of the roadside or between the sidewalk and the curb, or other appropriate place near the sidewalk in front of the main building on the premises, so as not to obstruct snow plowing or snow removal of streets, sidewalks or driveways.

Additionally, city engineer

Jon Rauscher confirmed that yard waste placed in the road can also clog the drainage systems, making them less effective.

Matzke said he had seen examples of the curbside violations throughout the city, and enforcing proper disposal methods was a small “piece of the puzzle” in regards to cleaning up the city.

The mayor explained that while the city is going renew its focus on this particular code, it will be providing a grace or learning period. First time violators will receive a warning from the city as residents become acclimated with the increased attention to curbside enforcement.

Matzke said violators will receive what looks like a ticket from the city, but instead of a fee, there will be a message saying, “This one is on us.”

The next one, according to the city code, is punishable by a fine of no less than $100 and no more than $250 and/or 15 days in jail.

According to the City of Oneida green waste guide, the following qualify as green waste material:

• Grass clippings, leaves, and plant debris in an approved container

• Branches and brush not exceeding half-inch diameter and not greater than approximately 8-feet in length stacked in neat piles with cut ends all in one direction.

The city guide identifies the following as material that does not qualify and therefore will not be collected: • Containers over 30 lbs. • Yard waste in plastic bags

• Yard waste containing rocks, sod, dirt or animal refuse • Treated wood • Construction demolition debris • Non-organic materials • Commercial tree trimming will not be accepted and must be hauled away by the person(s) that performed the trimming service. Commercial tree trimming includes any third party performing such services for the homeowner including, but not limited to, landscaping service, tree removal/trimming company, handyman, or other person(s) performing such services.

This announcement comes just months after the city established a hearing panel consisting of three officers-one nom- inee each from the police, fire and codes departmentin efforts to put some clout in the nuisance abatement policy, designed to shut down or remediate properties where there are multiple police calls or codes violations.

To determine your spring cleanup schedule visit: http://oneidacity. com/spring-cleanup-schedule/

To read more about the City of Oneida’s collection code visit: http://ecode360. com/8776516