Torrington — The Torrington City Council on Dec. 3, 2024 approved a package of sanitation and solid-waste ordinances at second reading that together change licensing, service limits and operational rules for trash collection, roll-off containers and certain burning activities.

Council and staff described the package as an effort to standardize how the city manages residential and commercial solid waste, to update technical requirements for roll-off containers and to recover some administrative costs through a revised annual license fee for roll-off providers.

What changed: Jeff Hudson, the city’s director overseeing the sanitation work, told the council that the only change since the last reading was a reduction in the annual roll-off license from $600 to $200. “We reduced the amount of the annual license from $600 to $200,” Hudson said. The ordinance language and staff discussion also address the following items:

• Who may provide what services: General household solid-waste collection (weekly curbside or alley collection) will be performed by the city within city corporate limits; the ordinance language also covers roll-off containers and alley dumpsters as collection methods in applicable locations.

• Roll-off use and monitoring: The council approved rules allowing private roll-off contractors to operate in the city under a licensing/notification scheme. City staff said contractors will notify the city (email/SMS or a form) when they place or remove roll-offs so staff can inspect rights-of-way and ensure streets, curbs and gutters are restored to city standards.

• License fee and administrative intent: The revised annual license was set at $200 to help recoup administrative costs for tracking roll-off activity and performing inspections; staff noted the fee is not expected to cover the full cost of the city’s labor.

• Roll-out carts for residents: Under the proposed structure, each city residence receives a roll-out cart; additional carts can be provided for $8 per month where needed.

• Weight and size limits: The ordinance lists roll-off container sizes (12, 20 and 38 cubic yards) and includes over‑weight charges designed to prevent vendors from loading contractors’ bins with materials that exceed vehicle or DOT weight limits.

• Burning and slash-pile language: The council approved a change to the burning ordinance to rename ‘‘brush/tree piles’’ as ‘‘slash piles’’ in the permit language for city department operations; staff said the change clarifies terminology used by federal land managers and aligns local language with technical practice. Staff noted that state DEQ smoke/air permits remain required for significant burns.

Discussion and public input: Councilors and staff discussed inspection procedures, weight limits and notification methods; staff said the notification process will be implemented as a simple form and may be adjusted in practice without a further ordinance amendment. Several sanitation contractors and local business representatives participated in earlier readings and meetings; at this meeting contractor Kirk Shidner thanked the council for listening during the ordinance process. During public comment a local business owner said the added costs — she said the change equated to roughly “$30 or 30 plus dollars extra a month” for some businesses — were burdensome amid a local downturn in new-business formation. She provided county figures showing new-business filings in Goshen County of 151 in 2022, 132 in 2023 and 108 for the available portion of 2024.

Action taken: Council approved the sanitation-fee ordinance on second reading and approved related ordinances on second reading (no extension of water/sewer/solid-waste services outside the corporate limits; collection by the city required; revisions to the burning rules) by voice vote. Where noted staff introduced a minor amendment to the burning-language item; the council approved the amendment and the ordinance.

What’s next: The ordinances were approved on second reading at this meeting; staff did not provide effective dates for each ordinance during the discussion. City staff said implementation details for the notification form, inspection scheduling and overweight-rate adjustments will be handled administratively.

Votes at a glance:
- Item 2 — Sanitation fees ordinance (second reading): Motion to approve moved by Councilman Beal, seconded by Councilman Patterson. Outcome: approved on second reading (voice vote).
- Item 3 — Ordinance limiting extension of water, sewer or solid-waste services outside corporate limits (second reading): Motion moved by Councilman Kelly, seconded by Councilman Victor. Outcome: approved on second reading (voice vote).
- Item 4 — Ordinance requiring city collection (second reading): Motion moved by Councilman Patterson, seconded by Councilman Beal. Outcome: approved on second reading (voice vote).
- Item 5 — Burning of solid waste (second reading, amended): Motion to amend and approve moved by Councilman Dutra, seconded by a council member; amendment and ordinance approved (voice vote).