Trustees discuss harmonizing village garbage and recycling rules; code may require dumpsters for larger premises

Village planning staff told trustees on May 12 that the village code contains inconsistent provisions on garbage and recycling and that harmonizing the rules will require additional review and public process.

"Our code states that a premise shall not have more than 2 totes," a staff member said, and the recycling chapter — an older code from 1992 — uses a threshold of five units for dumpster requirements. Staff said those provisions are not internally consistent and that combining them into a single, coherent chapter would be appropriate.

Staff described practical consequences: premises that regularly require more than two totes may need a dumpster, which could require private-hauler contracts and could significantly affect owners who currently rely on town or Amherst-provided pickup. "If you're over 2, you need a dumpster," the staff member said, and "if you regularly need more than 5, then you need the dumpster" under the existing recycling language.

Trustees were told the drafting work to harmonize the chapters is achievable but will require discussions about which properties must secure private hauling and how to coordinate with Amherst’s hauler contract. Staff said a public hearing will be part of the process. "If you review this, I mean, there's have to be a public hearing... that's the issue," a staff member said.

No ordinance was proposed or adopted at the May 12 meeting; staff were directed to prepare a consolidated, internally consistent draft for review and public hearing.