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Pocomoke council holds first reading of ordinance adding 'hazardous waste' to littering and solid-waste codes
Summary
At first reading, the council summarized an ordinance that would add a hazardous-waste definition to Pocomoke City Code chapters on littering and solid waste, create a rebuttable presumption for waste-container owners, and set fines and potential suspension of waste collection services.
The Pocomoke City council held the first reading June 22 of Ordinance 20260-12, which would amend city code to add a definition of "hazardous waste" to the littering (chapter 160) and solid-waste (chapter 195) ordinances and create related penalties.
The ordinance summary said the changes would make it unlawful to dump hazardous waste on public or private property, add a rebuttable presumption that hazardous waste found in a container was placed there by the container’s owner, and set penalties that could include fines (the summary referenced a $5,000 fine and a 60-day suspension of waste-collection services for certain violations). The summary cited a section of Maryland law permitting municipalities to classify littering as a municipal infraction.
Council discussion at first reading was limited to clarifying which chapters would be amended and to the summarized penalties; the item was presented as a first reading and a summation rather than a full textual reading. Council member Marshall noted the $5,000 figure and observed it aligns with the maximum allowable municipal fine under state law.
Next steps: the ordinance will return for further readings and potential amendments before final adoption. Recordings show the item was introduced in summary form; no final vote occurred at first reading.
