“I don’t like to see trash setting out, cluttering a whole block, all week long,” the mayor said. “I would like for people to wait and set it out on their trash day. We’re bringing companies in to show them our community and I don’t like them seeing a whole city block where somebody’s moved out or whatever and left their trash setting out all week. I just want to figure out how we can clean up our streets and make our community look respectable.”

At issue is people who set out old mattresses, broken down furniture and other large items, often several days in advance of their scheduled trash collection day. The city’s trash ordinance states that only household trash placed in provided totes will be collected weekly and that large trash will be collected once a month on a date to be announced by the city. That is not the current practice.

The ordinance also prohibits the collection of several things including oil-based paints and items that contain materials harmful to the environment such as electronic devices that frequently contain heavy metals and/or mercury dust.

Mayor York pointed out that the Henry County Solid Waste Management District provides a safe way of disposing of those items mentioned as well as many others including old tires and batteries. He encourages city residents to contact HCSWMD Director/Educator JoAnne McCorkle at 765-529-1691, or to stop by her office at 1121 Broad St., New Castle, for more information about the disposal options the waste district provides.

The city spends $275,000 annually in dumping fees, according to the mayor, who said that figure could be significantly reduced if people took advantage of the disposal options offered by McCorkle’s office and if city residents disposed of their own large trash items. The consensus of the council was that disposal options offered by the waste district are a good alternative to curbside disposal.

Council president Mark Koger said he favored stronger enforcement of the current ordinance.

“When I look at this (ordinance), in my opinion, there’s not a lot that needs tweaked. It needs enforced,” he said.

Koger suggested alerting violators they were not in compliance with the ordinance and if that failed to stop them from continuing to do so, then fining them should be the next step.

Many ideas were brought forward and discussed, and the idea of assessing a fine against violators came up several times. City attorney Dave Copenhaver pointed out the problem with fining people was getting them to actually pay the assessed penalty.

“We’ll have people who get cited and the judge can come down on them and fine them, but if they have no revenue they won’t pay it. We could then put a lien on their property, but that only works if their property has value,” Copenhaver said.

Council member Rex Peckinpaugh noted something has to be done and that citing and fining violators was a start.

A flier that could be distributed to city residents outlining the trash ordinance was considered, as was a letter to be sent out with monthly water bills. Also discussed was the idea of a central point somewhere in town where residents could drop off larger items like couches or mattresses.

“Our biggest problem is personal responsibility. Not everyone is willing to be responsible for their own trash,” Peckinpaugh said.

“(People) can basically put out everything and it always gets picked up. We’ve kind of spoiled people,” Copenhaver said.

No action on this issue was taken by the council. It was decided Copenhaver would put together some suggestions for possible changes to the trash ordinance, especially with respect to its enforcement provisions, and bring those suggestions back to the council for additional consideration and possible action.

Mayor York indicated he thought Monday’s discussion was beneficial.

“I’m very excited the council is taking this seriously and wants to step up to improve our curb appeal,” he said.

New Castle Trash Ordinance

To view the entire trash ordinance, visit the city’s website at www.cityofnewcastle.net, go to the “Government” tab, then choose “City Council” and then “City Code Online (codified ordinances).”

n Chapter 95 of the city’s code of ordinances details New Castle’s trash collection law. The following are highlights of that law.

n It is the responsibility of the property owner in any residential area to keep his half of the street and alley clear of all trash that is not in proper containers.

n Brush and limbs collected and cut by the owner of a residence and not a third-party contractor must be placed at curbside. Arrangements must be made by contacting the city street department for the pick up of such material.

n The city does not collect tires, batteries, toxic or poisonous materials or materials that create an environmental hazard.

n Heavy trash items will be removed on specific dates announced by the street department, on an individual basis from owner-occupied residential property. The owner must contact the street department and make arrangements. Heavy trash placed at curbside will be considered litter and the responsible party may be cited.

n The city designates what days trash will be picked up. To have trash picked up, the resident must place the trash container at a designated place. Trash containers may not be moved into place prior to the evening before pickup and must be removed prior to the evening following pickup. Trash not placed in the city-approved toter and positioned at the site designated by the city shall not be collected and must be removed by the property owner at his or her expense. All trash must be placed inside a toter. The toter lid must close and trash should not be placed on top of the toter lid or overflow the toter.

n It is unlawful to transport trash over city streets without a tarpaulin or cover over the entire truck bed to prevent the blowing of trash.