At Monday evening’s town board meeting, the board will be voting on a resolution to amend Chapter 25 of the Town Code of the Town of Lancaster to update information relating to the Town’s new Refuse Collection, Disposal and Recyclable Materials Collection and Processing Service.

The language of the resolution is quite clear when it comes to defining town, resident and Waste Management’s obligations under the new contract; that is, with exception of bulk – IMHO. Residents should be aware of the following:

25-13-I: All major appliances or large household furnishings not capable of being placed in receptacles or bundles as provided herein may be placed at the curb-line or pavement-line only on the scheduled bulk pickup collection day for that area. Residents are allowed to place out a total of three (3) bulk items per month per dwelling/parcel during the second full week of each month. It shall be the sole responsibility of the owner to dismantle the appliance or furnishing so that it will not be a hazard to the public. Specifically, all refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed, and Freon lines must be decommissioned.

25-13-J: Bulk waste and large appliances are to be collected by the authorized collector and each private collector on days to be determined by the Town.

(1) Carpeting must be rolled in lengths of 4 feet or less, taped securely, and no wider than 18 inches.
(2) Large items must be of size that can easily be handled by two employees.
(3) Additional acceptable items include small furniture, bedding and mattresses, hot water tanks, and large appliances.

Comment: If hot water tanks are acceptable for bulk pickup, why not toilets, sinks, bathtubs, etc.? What household replacement materials that can, or cannot, be considered for bulk needs clarification. Residents are still unsure of what can go for bulk pickup as Waste Management was taking materials they should not have picked up under the last contract. Not sure? Contact the town or Waste Management.

(4) Bulk item collection does NOT include air conditioners, microwave-emitting equipment, microwave ovens, and regulated material covered by the New York State Electronic Equipment Recycling and Reuse Act, such as televisions and computers.

(5) Any item, such as a weed trimmer or small lawnmower, with an engine requiring oil and gas must have those liquids removed prior to collection.

25-16-D: No court proceedings shall be commenced against any person who violated the provisions of Subsection C hereinabove set forth for any violation occurring before June 1, 2019 in order to permit persons to come into compliance with this local law.

Comment: A household has until June 1st to come to compliance with the new town regulations or their garbage will not be picked up. So, if Waste Management is now accepting carts with open lids, or furnaces which are an item for disposal (so I have been told by the town) not be picked up by WM after June 1st, you have been made aware.

25-16-F. Replacement of Lost/Stolen/Damaged Carts. If a cart is reported lost/stolen/damaged, the resident will be responsible for a replacement fee of $60.

Comment: That is not quite what was forecast by the town early on. Paint identification on the inside of the lid. Record and save the unique identity numbers on the carts - better yet, take and save a picture of the cart identity numbers on your cell phone device. They are not as stable as we were led to believe.