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Resident asks Wilkes-Barre council to revisit garbage rules after Hazel Street business loses pickup
Summary
Resident Linda Joseph told council a long-standing Hazel Street business was told its trash would no longer be collected as the city enforces a garbage ordinance; council members and staff said they would review the municipal code and consider exceptions for small, long-standing businesses.
Linda Joseph of Wilkes-Barre told the City Council that a Hazel Street business that has operated since 1963 had its stickered trash left uncollected for two weeks after the hauler told the owner it would no longer pick up commercial properties under the enforced ordinance.
Joseph said the owner spoke with 'Davey Lewis,' who told him the company would not pick up commercial properties anymore and that, as a result, the owner would stop buying stickers and the city would lose some revenue. She asked whether the business might be grandfathered because the ordinance predated its opening.
Council staff and members said they would review the city garbage ordinance. An administrative speaker referenced the municipal code and noted a code section ('686') and changes made in the early 1990s; council members said the requirement for dumpsters typically depends on the number of rental units (a five-unit threshold was mentioned). One council member said it was reasonable to "look at" exceptions or permits for mom-and-pop businesses that do not generate large amounts of waste.
On costs and contractors: during an earlier public question in the meeting, staff said an hourly "blended rate" for outside legal services was "485" and that there was no preset cap because the duration of work is unknown; the transcript does not specify units or currency for that figure.
Why it matters: Small, long-standing downtown businesses argued they may face unintended consequences of stricter enforcement of garbage rules. Council and staff committed to reviewing the ordinance and possible limited exceptions.
What’s next: Council indicated it would take a closer look at the ordinance language and at permit or permitting alternatives for small businesses; staff recorded the concern for follow-up.
