Trash Disposal and Fee Policies/Procedures –
Questions and Answers
How many bags or containers can be put out at curbside? A maximum of 8 bags per residential unit or business.
Does the City collect trash at all multi-family buildings or is there a limit on the number of units? The city’s contractor will not pick-up trash from buildings with more than 6 units.
Does the city pick up trash from businesses? The contractor collects trash from businesses that meet the bag limitation and other limitations in the contract. The contract excludes metals and building materials and limits height and weight of items. THE CONTRACT IS THE SOURCE DOCUMENT. Note: The list of businesses receiving trash pick-up at the time the ordinance went into effect is the SOURCE DOCUMENT to determine which businesses receive pick-up. The list is an attachment to the Memorandum of Understanding between Northside Carting and the city dated August, 2006.
How do we handle affidavits where the owner wants to change the number of units? Since the number of units comes from the assessor’s property records, a property owner should work with the assessor’s office to get the property record card changed to reflect the proper number of units. If a property owner simply states that he uses his three family as a two family, the property will still be charged for the number of units that are listed on the property record card. Assessor’s records are the SOURCE DOCUMENTATION for number of units per property.
How do we treat vacancies? Vacancies are to be exempted on a monthly basis only. Those property owners who have a long term vacancy will have to fill out an affidavit each month in order to get the charge for that month exempted. Affidavits should be posted on the City’s website for easy access for property owners.
Can residential units hire private rubbish collection? Yes. You must notify the city of such by filling out an Affidavit form. Those properties that have private rubbish collection will be identified on a list that is to be distributed to the City’s rubbish collector in order to ensure such residences are not utilizing the rubbish collection without paying the proper fees for such.
Can residential or commercial units be exempt from a trash fee by bringing trash to the transfer station or other disposal site? Yes. Request written documentation that the party wishes to self-dispose of trash. Place party on the Do Not Pick-up List.
How will complaints or appeals be handled on decisions made re. pick-up or exemptions? If the City Engineer or his staff deny an exemption or an appeal is made following a decision of the Engineer, the matter shall be forwarded to the Finance Director. The Finance Director shall issue a decision with 7 days following receipt whether or not the Engineer’s decision is over-ruled. Appeals of the Finance Director may be taken to superior court.
Who do we call regarding complaints that trash was not picked up? Contact Northside Carting’s office at the Transfer Station.
Are senior citizens exempt from the trash fee? Residents over the age of 60 who occupy a unit in which the resident has a life estate or in which the resident is a benficiary of a trust holding, said unit shall be exempt from the City's solid waste collection and disposal fee. Questions regarding benficial interest may be directed to the City Solicitor.
Who do we call regarding complaints that property owners have trash or debris in their yard, ie complaints of rats due to trash? Contact the board of health.
How do I handle requests for pick-up of large items? The party must purchase a $20 collection sticker for freon-based appliances, tvs, computer monitors, CRTs and air conditioners. Once they have the sticker, they must place it on the item and put the item curbside. Other items such as washers, dryers, and microwaves are free of charge. Office staff must notify the city’s contractor that the item is curbside.
How can I make a change to the information on my trash bill? Contact the Trash Department directly by calling 978-745-9595 x.5672, fax the information to 978-745-0349 - Attention Trash Department, or use the attached form and email the information.
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