Dewey trash can plan: Increase fines, enforce code

Dewey Beach officials are bound and determined to clean up the trash in town, and this year they’re starting with increased fines and better enforcement.

Consider this the warning, said Dewey Beach Mayor Diane Hanson during a March 12 commissioners' meeting.

At a cost of $100 per property, officials are also proposing a townwide valet service for residential property owners. The program would run May 15 through Sept. 15.

Hanson said the town is getting into the trash-can-moving business because if the town is going to increase enforcement, it also has to give property owners a way to comply with the law. Property owners don’t have to use the town’s service, she said, but they have to remove trash cans from town rights of way, and violations will be enforced.

This discussion on town trash began in earnest with public hearings in late October and early November.

In November, commissioners agreed that industry professionals could submit requests for proposals to provide the town’s residential residences service.

In early January, Hanson presented a proposal from Waste Industries that provided trash pick-up twice and recycling once a week, for a cost of $18.88 per month for a typical single-family house. At the time, commissioners decided to hold off on signing the contract because of lingering questions.

When the discussion resumed at their February meeting, commissioners said they had the will to move forward on residential services, but the infrastructure was not yet in place.

The existing fine for trash can violations in Dewey is $10 a day.

Under the proposal, the first offense would be $25, the second $50, and the third $100. Property owners with trash can enclosures in town rights of way have to move those structures to their property, or pay the town $300 for residences and $600 for commercial. Homeowners who pay the fee receive a 6-month reprieve.

Not changing in the code are trash pick-up times – Monday and Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; the time trash cans are allowed in rights of way – noon, Sunday through 8 p.m., Monday, and 5 p.m., Thursday through 8 p.m., Friday; trash can construction – rigid with tight fitting lids; and how much trash is allowed – only trash that fits in the cans is allowed.

All the commissioners were united on this matter.

Commissioner Dale Cooke said Dewey’s laissez-faire culture towards trash isn’t a problem as long as people are following the rules. He said these changes will encourage rule-following.

Commissioner Mike Dunmyer said enforcing the code and increasing the fines is about establishing the appropriate culture in Dewey.

“This is a big deal,” he said. “People will get upset, but it’s something we need to go through.”

Costs associated with the valet service initiative are not included in the budget for Fiscal Year 2017, said Town Manager Marc Appelbaum, but, he continued, the town will figure it out.

“Everything will be improved by improving trash,” said Appelbaum.

Appelbaum said he didn’t expect the valet service or increased fines to be a money maker; instead, he said, he expects them to offset the cost of implementing the service.

Hanson said the goal is to have townwide trash service for everyone next year. She also acknowledges there will be some problems this year.

“This is a trial year,” she said. “It may not go exactly as planned.”

Town officials have scheduled a meeting to finalize the proposed valet service, fine increases, and a letter being sent to property owners explaining the change for 5 p.m., Thursday, March 17 in the Dewey Beach Life Saving Station, 1 Dagsworthy Ave.