Local hauler tells commissioners convenience sites are being used for commercial dumping

A local waste-hauling business owner told the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 20 that he pays to take commercial waste to the landfill while he has seen other operators charge for service and unload full trailers at county convenience sites.

"I'm having to pay $3,000 a month to go take out the trash to the landfill down here and they're paying nothing," Michael Barrington, owner of Allegiant Sanitation, told the board in public comment. He said he observed three groups unloading trailer- and truck-sized loads at the Blaine Road convenience site and that they advertise the service in flyers.

Frankie and other officials told Barrington there is not an outright prohibition in Montgomery County's current rules that prevents commercial operators from using convenience sites and that the board can amend the code of ordinances if it wants to restrict commercial use. One commissioner suggested staff take a closer look at county regulations to ensure convenience sites do not get compromised by heavy commercial use.

No formal enforcement action or ordinance change was taken during the meeting. Commissioners said staff would examine the county code, look at surrounding counties' approaches (some use per-bag limits or explicitly bar for-hire haulers), and report back to the board.

What residents asked for Barrington asked for parity in enforcement so businesses that charge customers would not gain an unfair advantage over haulers who must take loads to the landfill. He asked the board to consider permit requirements or a per-bag limit similar to neighboring counties.

Next steps County staff will review existing rules and regulations and return to the board with recommendations for possible ordinance changes or permitting requirements.