Public works committee advances DPW fee schedule, sends increases on batteries, nonresident disposal and snow fines to council

The Norwalk Public Works Committee voted unanimously on June 2 to move a revised Department of Public Works fee schedule to the Common Council for final approval, sending a set of solid-waste, snow-removal and special-event fee changes that staff said are intended to cover rising disposal and handling costs.

The committee’s chair, Ann Winterstrand, opened the discussion after staff presented the proposed schedule and the committee heard a public comment urging higher fees on certain items. "We usually look at our fee schedule every year," the presenter said, explaining the changes are designed "to cover some of our expenses" rather than to generate new revenue.

Why it matters: The proposal would raise several line items that affect residents and visitors alike — including an increase of the non-resident disposal minimum to $30, adjustments to tonnage-based tipping rates, a new replacement cost for a first recycling bin of $82 (extra bins remain $300), a $2 fee for lithium batteries, and a new residential snow-removal fine structure (a first violation set at $50 and additional events adding $25, resetting each winter). Staff said yard-waste disposal would be set at $75 per ton and that the existing per-ton solid-waste charge was being adjusted to align with neighboring municipalities.

Resident Diane Laurella, who identified herself as living on Gregory Boulevard in East Norwalk, told the committee several of the proposals “made sense” but urged higher fees for items linked to fire or complicated handling, saying of lithium batteries: "charging more than $2, maybe three," and recommending stronger education to prevent batteries being discarded in regular garbage and causing fires at transfer stations.

Chief of Operations and Public Works Vanessa Veres responded that staff compared fees across Fairfield County and intentionally kept some fees modest to avoid inducing illegal dumping. "If we make a very high fee, people will dump and then we end up with a much bigger cost that we need to go clean up," Veres said, adding that for some items the $2 charge is intended primarily to encourage proper drop-off rather than fully offset handling costs.

Committee members pressed on enforcement and outreach for snow removal. Staff said outreach is sent before storms and that code enforcement and DPW coordinate on enforcement timing; per the ordinance residents have 24 hours after a storm is completed to clear sidewalks, though enforcement can be delayed after extreme storms.

The committee voted to move the fee schedule to the Common Council for final approval. The motion to discuss and advance the item was made by Council Person Jan Degenshine and passed unanimously by members present: Ann Winterstrand, Jan Degenshine, Richard Dinger, Jesse Bucko and Majority Leader Jaylen Seed.

Next steps: The item will appear on the Common Council agenda for final action; staff said the new fees are intended to take effect July 1, 2026, pending council approval.