Council limits spring and fall cleanup to green waste, will require proof of residency and secured site

HARRISVILLE — Harrisville City Council voted to modify its spring and fall cleanup program, limiting accepted materials to green waste, requiring proof of residency and securing the site, council members and staff said.

Staff presented background and several options, saying the cleanup program has become increasingly used for household garbage, mattresses and appliances as well as green waste. Jenny, a city staff member, reviewed alternatives — from maintaining the current open drop to moving the program to the new Public Works facility and using attendants to verify residency and screen materials. "I know when I go with my son-in-law to the Bountiful dump with the cleanup, he has to show ID that he's in fact a Bountiful resident for us to get in there," she said as an example.

Council members expressed concern about nonresidents and contractors using the service and about high tip fees when garbage (not green waste) is accepted. Several council members and staff noted that locking the dumpsters after hours and having an attendant during open hours can reduce abuse and reassure residents that the service is reserved for local households. One council member said: "I think it's a good stop. I think it's a good start, and I think it needs to be kind of a checker box." Another asked staff to consider cameras and signage and to estimate overtime costs for attendants.

After discussion, the mayor summarized: "So what I think I'm hearing is that we are going to limit it to green waste to reduce costs and tip fees and have it back in a secured area with proof of residency." Council then passed a motion to implement the change, with staff directed to finalize operational details, publish the new rules in the city newsletter and coordinate signage, hours, attendant overtime and equipment for larger loads.

Staff noted the spring cleanup is already budgeted in the current fiscal year and recommended that, for next year, the cleanup program be moved into the garbage services contract so tip fees would be covered through the waste-management fund rather than the general fund. Staff estimated spring and fall combined current costs at roughly $6,000–$7,000 each event when garbage is accepted and suggested green-waste-only operation could reduce that cost by several thousand dollars.

The council emphasized that the program could be re-evaluated after one or two cycles and adjusted if necessary. The motion passed unanimously.