Nov 13, 2003 By Josh Krysak 3 min read

PERRYOPOLIS – Garbage haulers would have to pay more to operate in the borough next year if the borough council adopts a new trash collection policy. On Wednesday, the council voted to advertise for an ordinance that will require all garbage haulers in the community to be licensed through the borough and raised the permit rate from $100 to $400 a year. Additionally, the new ordinance requires each company to submit a list of residents and businesses they serve and pay a $2 quarterly fee per household.

Solicitor Sam Davis said the new ordinance also mandates a fine of up to $300 for borough residents who do not comply with the trash pickup.

“This will make it mandatory that all homes and businesses in the borough receive trash, garbage or refuse collection by borough garbage collectors who are either under contract with the Perryopolis Borough or have received the proper permits,” Davis said.

Council President Ron Dreucci said that borough residents pay about $10 monthly for garbage pickup, and he speculated that the new ordinance will raise prices about $2 per month.

About eight haulers are working in the borough, but about half have not received permission from the borough to haul the trash

The council said the new measure will help to eliminate some haulers in the borough who continue to refuse to get borough permits to operate.

And, according to Councilman Charles Johnson, under the new ordinance, borough residents will be able to have just about anything hauled away.

“All the trash is removed to eliminate the need for a cleanup day,” Johnson said. “That will save the borough about $4,000. If you put a sofa out there, it has to go.”

He also noted that by not contracting one collector for the entire borough, the council is hopeful that prices will remain competitive.

“Competition is the best control for prices,” he said.

Davis said the new ordinance will require haulers to pick up all types of trash, that payments for trash collection will be made quarterly and that the ordinance will take effect by Jan. 31.

The council also scheduled a work session for Tuesday to discuss the 2004 tentative budget and a special meeting for Tuesday, Nov. 25, to pass the tentative plan.

According to Treasurer Ron Lombard, the council can take the new garbage laws into account before it finalizes the new financial plan.

The council also conducted the following business:

n Heard from borough resident John Hahn about water drainage problems along Constitution Street. Lombard told Hahn that the matter remains out of the council’s jurisdiction due to pending litigation.

n Set Christmas treat night for Saturday, Dec. 13, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the municipal building.

n Heard from borough resident Ed Pohodich about the tree disease that is spreading onto his property from borough trees. Council entered into an agreement with Pohodich to remove the trees, with council and Pohodich splitting the cost for part of the tree removal. The removal will be conducted through Allegheny Power due to high-tension lines that run through the cluster.