Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Providence council approves ordinance giving DPW power to remove repeatedly unattended trash bins after notices
Summary
Council passed an ordinance authorizing the Department of Public Works to cite property owners for unattended trash containers and, after repeated notices over months, remove bins at DPW discretion; supporters called it a tool to address blocked sidewalks, opponents worried about renters left without bins.
The Providence City Council on Oct. 16 approved, on first reading, an ordinance that strengthens the Department of Public Works’ enforcement tools to address trash containers left on sidewalks after collection days.
Under the ordinance (item 15), property owners may be cited repeatedly for leaving trash bins on public sidewalks after collection. Sponsors described a multi-step process: multiple citations and mailed notices over several months, culminating in a DPW decision — the ordinance uses permissive language that DPW “may” remove bins if the owner does not correct the violation.
Councilman Miguel Sanchez raised concerns about unintended consequences for renters if bins were removed and the landlord remained unresponsive. “My concern is, as written in in this ordinance is, are we kinda creating a a system here that might leave a…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
