INC NEWS - Trash Police coming...

[RW Pickle]

After almost a year, we have a draft of both the new rules and the
enforcement changes to Durhams' Solid Waste Policy. There's alot of info
in it, so I have not posted it to the list. Instead, if you want to know
what will be happening (this still is subject to some changes as it is not
written in stone yet), you can find it online by pointing your browser to:

http://www.ci.durham.nc.us/departments/solid/

One of the biggest changes will be enforcement. There have always been
rules, but no one enforced them. In the proposed budget this year, it adds
an enforcement person. Currently fines are set at $50 for each offense
(could be more if cleanup by the City is required) up to three. At that
point, you're on you're way to Court. I do believe the fine schedule will
see a change; making each offense more expensive (from the first one on).
The lawyers for the City have now reviewed all of the enforcement rules
and changed them so they will work. Fines, if not in 30 days will be added
to your water/sewer bill in the priority position. Which means if not
paid, water service will be shut off. There will be a warning issued
before a fine is levied, but this, like the fine schedule, is still open
to change. Right now it is 2 warnings before each fine. It was suggested
this week to roll it back to one warning. But as I said, this entire
proposal is still subject to change until City Council adopts it.

I'll be happy to hear any comments or changes others would like to make
and will take them back to the committee for consideration.

RWP
27 Beverly