Use of dumpsters without permission punishable by fine

Matt Bower
Posted 2/17/15

With an 8-0 vote at its Feb. 3 meeting, the City Council amended the Code of Ordinances to make it “unlawful for any person to dump litter, trash, rubbish, garbage or any refuse into a refuse …

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Use of dumpsters without permission punishable by fine

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With an 8-0 vote at its Feb. 3 meeting, the City Council amended the Code of Ordinances to make it “unlawful for any person to dump litter, trash, rubbish, garbage or any refuse into a refuse container without the permission of the owner, lessee or renter of the refuse container.” Ward 9 Councilman Steven Merolla was absent from the meeting. Those who are caught in violation will be subject to regular municipal fines, which are not to exceed $500 and will be imposed on an escalating scale.

Ward 3 Councilwoman Camille Vella-Wilkinson sponsored the amendment after a business owner in her ward brought the matter to her attention.

“This ordinance [amendment] is in support of business owners who are being taken advantage of by people using dumpsters on their properties when they’re not permitted to do so,” she said. “People are leaving items such as mattresses in dumpsters, and this is costing business owners money in addition to the tipping fees they already pay.”

Vella-Wilkinson said one business owner she talked to owns commercial property with tenants.

“The owner told me there’s no room in the dumpster for their [tenants] own trash because of what other people are leaving behind,” she said.

Ward 5 Councilman Ed Ladouceur said he’s aware of the problem, being a business owner himself.

“It’s not just mattresses that people are throwing away, but also tires and refrigerators are being put in dumpsters on construction sites,” he said.

Prior to introducing the legislation, Vella-Wilkinson said she spoke about it with Lauren Slocum, president and CEO of the Central Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, who was in favor of the legislation.

Vella-Wilkinson said she hopes the ordinance amendment will show Warwick business owners that the council is there to help them and address any concerns that may arise.

“Not all businesses recognize that we see them as residents who pay taxes here,” she said. “Hopefully this will get the ball rolling to have them come and talk to us about any concerns they may have.”

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