Kenilworth council weighs new bulk-waste and curbside recycling rules; proposes May rollout and grace period

Kenilworth officials discussed a proposed ordinance to change how the borough handles bulk waste and curbside recycling, with staff recommending a phased rollout beginning in May and an initial period focused on education rather than fines.

Councilman Burrell and DPW staff outlined the proposal: instead of the current two annual bulk pickups, the borough would run scheduled monthly bulk-collection routes, limit curbside bulk to a five-item maximum per pickup, and classify recyclable bulky items (for example, scrap metal, some appliances and lawn equipment) so they are not counted against the five-item limit. DPW foreman Greg told the council the borough will track tonnages for six months and compare them to 2024 bulk pickup totals to measure savings.

Greg and other DPW staff described operational limits that shaped the proposal: municipal crews are limited to two workers on the rear of collection trucks under current safety rules, which constrains how far employees safely carry heavy items. Greg said heavy items that cannot be handled safely by two workers would be collected later using a loader or during a special trip; he proposed a system to document repeat offenders and to take photographs when items violate the ordinance.

Council members asked for specifics on exemptions and vulnerable residents. Councilwoman Giordano Passerno and others suggested seniors who cannot move items could use the borough’s handyman program or arrange for DPW assistance; council members also discussed permitting curbside placement at the end of a driveway or at the curb line up to a fixed distance (discussion ranged around 4–8 feet from curb). The council asked staff to clarify language on bin sizes (the draft references 30-gallon bins in one place and 32-gallon bins elsewhere) and to add the code-enforcement office to the list of enforcement authorities.

DPW staff also reported two grants and new recycling revenue: the borough was notified of an award of $50,000 for a clean-water vehicle wash to meet DEP standards and protect stormwater, and the borough will receive a recycling grant check for $11,064 for prior-year recycling activity. Staff suggested the borough consider retaining recycling revenue within DPW’s budget to offset operating costs.

Several operational details the council asked to include in the ordinance or rollout plan: - A five-item per-household bulk pickup limit per scheduled route, with recyclable bulky items (scrap metal, appliances without hazardous liquids) excluded from that cap; items containing hazardous liquids (refrigerants, paint cans not dried) will not be accepted curbside. - Residents required to place bagged household garbage in containers (no loose bags on the ground). The draft also requires containers larger than a stated size to have two wheels and a pull handle. - A one-year educational/grace period before active enforcement; staff will record repeat violations and consider fines in subsequent years. - A plan to use camera evidence and on-the-ground documentation to identify commercial dumping or repeat violators.

Why it matters: The change aims to reduce contractor costs, improve recycling capture, and limit illegal dumping; it will also change how residents prepare large items for pickup and may affect seniors and households without driveways.

What’s next: Staff will revise ordinance language based on council feedback and return it for introduction at the next council meeting (the council discussed introducing in mid-April and adopting by the May meeting so a May 7 rollout would be possible).