Out of sight, out of mind
Andrew Thomason
Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News
Macomb citizens might have to be conscious about where they store the new trash receptacles if Dave Dorsett, 5th Ward alderman, and Ed Lavin, 2nd Ward alderman, have their way.
"When you live with your folks, your garbage cans were usually in the backyard or behind the garage," Lavin said. "When you get to college, why should that be any different?"
Lavin added he is not just talking about students but wants everyone in Macomb to store refuse containers out of sight. Tim Lobdell, 6th Ward alderman, agreed, saying most people who keep totes in the front yard are doing so out of convenience, not necessity.
Walter Burnett, public works director, and Liz Wilhelm, city attorney, said writing a storage policy could be very problematic. Lavin told Wilhelm to take a ride with him one day to see the unsightliness of the containers.
Wilhelm said she would look into crafting some part of the policy or municipal code to mandate a certain procedure on container storage.
All this discussion stemmed from potential amendments in the city's Solid Waste Policy and Chapter 11 (garbage and trash) of the municipal code.
"The major changes have to do with the new contract with Waste Management," Wilhelm said.
Some concern was raised about the ambiguity of the waste policy regarding cart replacement. The proposed policy changes state carts damaged by normal wear will be replaced free of charge, while totes broken by misuse will cost $50 to exchange. Alderman-at-Large Chris Senn asked how the two would be differentiated.
"If the carts are turned into beer coolers and split, that would be intentional," Burnett said.
Mayor Mick Wisslead assured that the city stands between the customers and WM to prevent undue fees.
In other business, Macomb Police Department Chief Mike Galloway asked the council for funds to re-stripe the MPD squad cars at a cost of $4,200 to $5,300. Galloway said the funds would come from the Police Protection Tax Fund.
The new design would be based off the striping of a truck the department purchased last year - black over yellow. Mike Inman, 4th Ward alderman and master sergeant with the Illinois State Police, said he felt the new striping would make the cars more noticeable in the community.
"When you live with your folks, your garbage cans were usually in the backyard or behind the garage," Lavin said. "When you get to college, why should that be any different?"
Lavin added he is not just talking about students but wants everyone in Macomb to store refuse containers out of sight. Tim Lobdell, 6th Ward alderman, agreed, saying most people who keep totes in the front yard are doing so out of convenience, not necessity.
Walter Burnett, public works director, and Liz Wilhelm, city attorney, said writing a storage policy could be very problematic. Lavin told Wilhelm to take a ride with him one day to see the unsightliness of the containers.
Wilhelm said she would look into crafting some part of the policy or municipal code to mandate a certain procedure on container storage.
All this discussion stemmed from potential amendments in the city's Solid Waste Policy and Chapter 11 (garbage and trash) of the municipal code.
"The major changes have to do with the new contract with Waste Management," Wilhelm said.
Some concern was raised about the ambiguity of the waste policy regarding cart replacement. The proposed policy changes state carts damaged by normal wear will be replaced free of charge, while totes broken by misuse will cost $50 to exchange. Alderman-at-Large Chris Senn asked how the two would be differentiated.
"If the carts are turned into beer coolers and split, that would be intentional," Burnett said.
Mayor Mick Wisslead assured that the city stands between the customers and WM to prevent undue fees.
In other business, Macomb Police Department Chief Mike Galloway asked the council for funds to re-stripe the MPD squad cars at a cost of $4,200 to $5,300. Galloway said the funds would come from the Police Protection Tax Fund.
The new design would be based off the striping of a truck the department purchased last year - black over yellow. Mike Inman, 4th Ward alderman and master sergeant with the Illinois State Police, said he felt the new striping would make the cars more noticeable in the community.
Be the first to comment on this story