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WEIRTON - Weirton Council is discussing changing portions of the city's garbage and rubbish collection ordinance, with plans to present legislation at is next regular meeting.
The issue was discussed Tuesday during a council workshop, with Ward 4 Councilman George Ash, who is sponsoring the ordinance, leading the discussion.
"There will not be a rate increase," Ash emphasized. "It's not true."
Ash also noted, under the current proposed ordinance, the city's spring and fall cleanups would remain. Officials previously had discussed the possibility of doing away with the household goods collection, along with other proposals.
One area of change now included in the draft ordinance is the regulation of multi-family residential units, with Ash saying those buildings would have the option of purchasing a dumpster from a private commercial entity, or each unit in the building could set up individual sanitation collection accounts, at a cost of $17.96 per month.
"The city will not furnish that anymore," Ash said of the previous practice of municipal dumpster services.
There also would be special cleanup services available, where residents can arrange for large items to be collected, with a fee assessed based on the number of items. The fee would have to be paid up front, Ash said.
"We're not going to pick it up and say you can pay us over the next three months," he said.
In addition, fines for violations of the ordinance would be increased to $500.
Ward 5 Councilwoman Flora Perrone said, while she understands the intent, she feels the fine is excessive, noting consecutive violations also could result in jail time. Ash said he feels it will be a deterrent to people who would otherwise litter or dump their garbage into the community.
Ward 6 Councilman Enzo Fracasso noted the stipulation that garbage must be kept in a container instead of simply leaving filled garbage bags at the collection spot.
Public Works Director Rod Rosnick, however, said that is an attempt to cut down on animals being able to access the garbage.
"The issue isn't us picking the bag up," Rosnick said.
City Manager Joe DiBartolomeo said the ordinance is aimed at cleaning up problem areas of the city, and told council they have time before Monday's regular meeting to discuss the issue and make changes to the ordinance if they choose.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and via Twitter @CHowellWDT)