Push for ‘amnesty days’ continues

Council members seek ‘starting point’ on trash pickup changes

Daniel Kittredge
Posted 11/20/14

Citing ongoing concerns over fees associated with the new automated trash and recycling pickup program and the improper disposal of mattresses and other large waste items, members of the City Council …

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Push for ‘amnesty days’ continues

Council members seek ‘starting point’ on trash pickup changes

Posted

Citing ongoing concerns over fees associated with the new automated trash and recycling pickup program and the improper disposal of mattresses and other large waste items, members of the City Council are continuing a push to set up periodic “amnesty days.”

“Hopefully, we’ll come up with a resolution to this,” Council President John Lanni said during a recent meeting of the Public Works Committee.

The committee last week took up a proposed ordinance amendment sponsored by Councilmen Richard Santamaria, Mario Aceto, Paul Archetto and Michael Farina seeking to provide multiple “amnesty days” on which residents could dispose of mattresses, major appliances and other items that do not fit in the new 65-gallon carts at no cost. It was ultimately decided the measure would be referred to a special subcommittee for further discussion.

Under the city’s new contract with Waste Management, a fee of $18 is charged for the pickup of bulky items, while a fee of $25 is charged for mattress or box spring disposal. Previously, such items had been picked up without an additional cost as part of the city’s trash service.

The city did provide free bulky pickup days in August and September, allowing each residential unit a one-time opportunity to leave up to three large items at curbside for removal on specified days. Mattresses, construction debris, televisions, electronics, major appliances and regular household trash were excluded.

Mayor Allan Fung’s administration has said the cost and effectiveness of the free pickup days would be evaluated when considering whether to periodically continue the practice going forward.

While the amendment specifically lists the weeks of Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Santamaria said the proposal was designed as a “starting point” for further discussion.

Farina said council members are cognizant of the fiscal constraints involved and the need to work in partnership with the administration toward finding a solution and echoed Santamaria’s point that the proposal brought before the committee was designed “to open that dialogue.”

“We want to work toward something that works for everybody,” he said.

The new trash system has continued to draw attention at City Hall and on the campaign trail in the months since its rollout and official start over the summer. Several council members have criticized the size of the carts and raised concerns over an increase in the improper dumping and disposal of large items as a result of the fee structure. The $150 annual charge associated with the use of a second 65-gallon trash cart has also drawn the ire of several council members.

Fung’s administration has defended the new system and the terms of the seven-year pact with Waste Management, which carries a cost of approximately $4.1 million for fiscal year 2015.

Officials have said the system will control costs, improve efficiency, promote recycling and help control the city’s rat problem. The administration has also said the decision to utilize 65-gallon bins was based on consultation with experts and comparisons with other communities.

Public Works Director Ken Mason said he was supportive of further evaluation of the “amnesty days” proposal at a subcommittee level.

“There’s a lot of issues here that need to be discussed,” he said.

Mason also told council members that mattresses and box springs must be considered on a “totally separate” basis from bulky waste, given that the former do not go to the Central Landfill for disposal. He also noted that last fiscal year approximately 16,000 mattresses and box springs were disposed of under the city’s previous trash system, carrying a total cost of more than $400,000.

Councilwoman Sarah Kales Lee suggested comparing the cost of proposed “amnesty days” with the cost of establishing an ongoing drop-off site for mattresses, box springs and other items. Councilman Michael Favicchio said he was concerned residents of other communities would bring mattresses to Cranston if a free pickup system were to be instituted.

Several councilmen said regardless of the final outcome, some change is needed to stem what they see as a growing trend of mattresses and large items being dumped in empty spaces or simply left at the curb.

“I don’t want mattresses and sofas sitting outside,” Santamaria said.

“It’s only going to get worse,” Lanni said.

“It’s getting very noticeable lately,” said Archetto, noting the large number of three-decker apartment units – and the resulting number of people moving in or out at any given time – in Ward 3, which he represents.

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