Dewey reviews valet trash service

Dewey is one month into providing valet trash can service to its property owners, and Town Manager Marc Appelbaum said recently things are going about as well as planned.

The biggest issue, he said during a June 10 town council meeting, is trash companies aren’t picking up the cans by the time they’re supposed to, which means town employees aren’t able to move the cans off the streets in a timely fashion.

Town code allows trash cans to be place in rights-of-way for pick up for twice a week – noon on Sunday through 8 p.m., Monday, and from 5 p.m., Thursday, through 8 p.m., Friday; trash pick-up times are Monday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; trash cans must be rigid with tight-fitting lids, and only trash that fits in the cans is allowed.

In response to complaints of lingering trash and trash cans along town streets during the 2015 summer season, town officials worked through the winter to create the town-provided, $100 for five months of valet service, beginning May 15. Appelbaum said about 85 people signed up for the service.

In addition to instituting valet service, town council also increased fines associated with trash-related violations from $10 to $25 for the first offense, $50 for the second offense and $100 for the third offense. Officials then gave Appelbaum marching orders to enforce the fines.

Predicting growing pains, Appelbaum said the town sent out 40 to 50 warning letters to property owners who had violated the trash code. Since then, the town has written about 40 tickets, he said.

Some people have responded by saying they’re glad the town is doing something, said Appelbaum, while others have complained.

“There’s a big learning curve,” he said. “People are now getting tickets, and that’s prompting a response.”

Mayor Diane Hanson said the ones who are the most mad about the change are probably the ones who are breaking the law.

Commissioner Mike Dunmyer said he wanted to know if the town was keeping track of trash companies who couldn’t provide the service within the town’s allotted time frame.

Appelbaum said a number of certified letters were sent to the companies reminding them of their responsibilities.

The trash update ended with a brief discussion about the long-term viability of town-provided service.

Appelbaum said he wanted to get the program up and running for this season, but he didn’t think the town should be in the trash business. He cited insurance liability costs associated with town employees going onto private property as an ongoing concern.

“I’m convinced we can, but I’m not convinced we should,” he said, suggesting the town hire an outside contractor for the service next year.

Parking pass purchasing deadline removed

Town council unanimously removed a Memorial Day deadline for property and business owners in town to purchase seasonal parking pass at a discounted rate of $150 per pass.

A season-long parking pass in Dewey costs nonresidents $200. Property and business owners in town can purchase two of the passes at the discounted rate.

Commissioner Dale Cooke said he saw no real purpose to the Memorial Day deadline.

Hanson said there’s no reason to have the artificial deadline.

“We think it’s a good thing,” said Appelbaum.