Lackawanna council adopts updates to garbage code, ends city pickup of recycling containers and yard clippings

The Lackawanna City Council on April 7 approved revisions to Chapters 190 and 191 of the city code that remove some long-standing city services, add a scheduled branch pickup and increase fines tied to debris and code-enforcement notices.

The changes, presented by Dan Griffin, senior foreman of public works, respond to a New York State report of examination on garbage collection completed in 2022 and update rules last amended in 2013.

Griffin said the most visible changes include removing a line that had city-provided recycling containers and discontinuing curbside pickup of grass clippings, noting the city is participating in the state 'leave it on the lawn' program that began April 1. “The last time this code was updated was 2013,” Griffin said. The revisions also set a branch-collection schedule — the first full week of every month on a resident’s regular garbage day — and revise the code-enforcement notice timeline to include a clear compliance date and higher fines.

Councilmembers debated practical effects and resident preferences; one councilmember asked whether residents who do not want to leave clippings on lawns would have an option for pickup. Griffin and other speakers said the plan as drafted does not include continued city pickup of clippings and that the change is intended to produce significant cost savings (wet clippings increase dumping fees) and reduce landfill waste. The state program was also described as having environmental benefits for pollinators.

After discussion the council approved the updates. Motion by Councilmember Moreno, second by Councilmember Anderson. The recorded vote was 3 in favor, 1 opposed; Councilmember McBlaughey cast the lone no vote. The council directed that associated documents be available in the clerk’s office for public review.

The code update will require the city to communicate the new branch schedule, fine structure and the end of city-provided recycling containers to residents; council members pressed staff to ensure public outreach explaining the changes.

Several operational details and enforcement questions were raised during the caucus and regular meeting, including how code enforcement will identify timing of bulk-week placement and how the new notice-with-date provision will be applied in practice. The council did not adopt any amendment exempting specific residents from the clippings policy.

The ordinance changes take effect after publication per city procedures and will be filed with the clerk’s office as part of the official record.