City cracks down on open burning

“We are finding a lot more people are taking their bulk trash and disposing it incorrectly.”

— Ward 5 Councilman Brian Holmes

Due to an increase in open burning and improper disposal of bulk trash, the city of Vermilion is now seeking to crack down on trash disposal regulations, with possible citations in the future.

Mayor Jim Forthofer said during an April 13 City Council meeting that he spoke to Vermilion Fire Chief Chris Stempowski about the issue last week.

“I’ve given him the OK to work with (Police) Chief (Chris) Hartung, and have a crackdown on these occasions, not just warnings anymore,” Forthofer said during the meeting. “We’re actually looking to see if there can be citations issued when open burning in the city exists.”

Ward 5 Councilman Brian Holmes said he has been seeing an increase in these improper disposals of trash around both the city and county as well.

“We are finding a lot more people are taking their bulk trash and disposing it incorrectly,” Holmes said during the meeting. “Please be patient with Republic (Services) and with your trash pickup, because open burning is not the case on how you get rid of your trash, or dumping it on a dead-end road.”

In light of Republic Services stopping all bulk pick-up, Vermilion has followed other neighboring communities and set up trash bins for residents to dispose of their waste.

Service Director Tony Valerius said four bins will be available from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, with the last day being April 17.

Two of the bins are located in the city’s skate park parking lot at 5335 Devon Drive, with the other two in the parking lot on Showse Park’s south side along Edgewater Drive.

“I ask that everyone, please make sure all the items are placed in the dumpsters, and not beside them or around them,” Valerius said.

Council President Steve Herron said he will check with Republic if tires can be disposed of in the bins, with Holmes suggesting residents wait until recycling centers reopen to dispose of tires.