Community Corner

Oradell Mayor and Council Curb Bulk Refuse Collection in DPW Yard

Borough may realize significant cost savings by putting in some controls on the amount of bulk refuse being dumped in the DPW yard.

Hearing the DPW's recommendation regarding the amount and type of bulk refuse being put into their containers, the Mayor and Council initiated some controls at their work session Tuesday. One suggestion was that those bulk materials currently being dumped into the containers be picked up curbside instead.
 
However, pictures of the yard distributed to the Mayor and Council showed containers filled with concrete, prompting Mayor Joseph Murray to ask, "All of this concrete comes from homeowners?"

According to Borough Clerk Laura Graham, the cost of hauling this debris away is rising. As of the end of May, the Borough has paid $7700 to have this type of material removed. In 2012 the total cost was approximately $15,000 and in 2011, approximately $12,000. 

Graham reminded the Mayor and Council that this topic was brought before them a few years ago and a policy decision was made at the time to keep the bulk refuse area of the DPW yard open for the benefit of residents. It was also decided that the DPW be charged with the task of checking I.D.'s to make sure that those dumping refuse were residents and not contractors.

Graham said that this practice of checks and balances has become difficult over the last few years due to the fact that the DPW has experienced retirements and manpower as a whole is down in their department. 

Graham explained that the town would still have to pay if the refuse is picked up curbside, but there would be more certainty that the refuse on that curb belonged to homeowners and not to contractors. Also, there would likely be less volume. The refuse contained in the DPW containers has to be pulled to the dumpster, a cost absorbed by the town. Additionally, a DPW worker assigned to the yard could be reassigned back to the road where manpower is needed.  

Another suggestion that seemed favorable to the Council is to keep the gates to the yard locked, allowing residents to drop their refuse only after they have registered their name and address in a book. This practice would provide residents with a service they are accustomed to while controlling contractors.

Graham informed the Mayor and Council that the garbage company is already contracted to haul away bulky refuse, adding that there was never an allowance for construction refuse to be put curbside. As is the practice of surrounding towns, homeowners will have to get a dumpster on their property if they are doing construction on their house.

The Mayor and Council agreed that a resolution will be worked on to hammer out the language, but recommended that in the meantime the gate to the DPW refuse collection be locked, I.D. be shown and the book be signed before any refuse can be left in the yard. This practice will also give the Mayor and Council an opportunity to examine the information collected in order to get a clear picture of exactly what materials are being dropped off.  

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