After several weeks of getting "green tagged" for my weekly single 45-gallon can, I finally investigated what is going on here. Enforcement of this ordinance seems to make little sense economically, environmentally, or politically. The garbage workers' union (AFSCME Local 2296 President Richard Burrell) hasn't provided any justification on why this sudden change to "enforce" this ordinance. In my 20 years living in this town, my 45-gallon container was never an issue until now, which makes me wonder if the workers have become incapable, or if the union is simply finding an area in which they have some leverage for justifying workers compensation claims. If we assume a low percentage of non-compliance (even though casual observation indicates it's pretty high), then there are literally thousands of households which need to replace cans -- at about $60/each, from what I've priced out at Home Depot.
My resolution is that I will add 40lb. weights to the bottom of each of my $180 worth of news cans; and I will be leaving three cans, instead of one, twice/week. I will not be tipping my sanitation workers this holiday season -- or ever again -- as I do regularly every year ($60 every year for $20 years -- I've paid them $1200 beyond the $24,500 I pay annually in taxes). Suck it Burrell. You and your AFSCME workers! Unions have ruined this country, and now have Montclair in the cross-hairs!
mf - 10 years ago
Despite our high and rising taxes we seem to be receiving less services. I don't see how this makes sense specially when I have never seen the workers lift the garbage pal and rather lifting the bags out of the can. I don't mind making the worker's life less difficult but not by implementing these type of ridiculous and non sense rules.
SMK - 10 years ago
Why not simply limit the weight of the amount of trash placed in 50 gallon containers? Or, hire stronger trash collectors. Why not ask we drive the trash to the landfill ourselves. What are we supposed to do with our 50 gallon trash cans, that we just purchased from Home Depot? I would bet the average home in Montclair doesn't come close to filling 1 50 gal can per week. Let's worry about the horrible condition of our streets, or asking police officers to monitor the street lights, many of which are burned out so they can be reported to PSEG and repaired. Many streets in some areas are unsafe for cars and pedestrians.
YKR - 10 years ago
I am truly amazed, especially since I just bought three new "over-sized" garbage cans.
This town has not let me down yet again with some of its utterly moronic decisions. At first I thought it was a joke. Doesn't anyone else wonder that for the past 20 years our garbage cans were the right size? Every darn store including ones in Montclair are selling the "wrong" sized garbage cans.
What are they going to do next? Tell us that onions can't be placed in them?....BUFFOONS.
Eric - 10 years ago
A properly sized can costs around $10.00 to $15.00. If I make someone's hard day a little easier, I don't mind. You should try to lift full 45 gallon garbage pails all morning before you make silly comments about being disabled. I know I wouldn't want to do it.
Julie - 10 years ago
I'd like a reasonable explanation. Are the sanitation workers coming disabled from heavy trash bins? Can I leave 5 35lb containers on my curb instead?. Seriously.
After several weeks of getting "green tagged" for my weekly single 45-gallon can, I finally investigated what is going on here. Enforcement of this ordinance seems to make little sense economically, environmentally, or politically. The garbage workers' union (AFSCME Local 2296 President Richard Burrell) hasn't provided any justification on why this sudden change to "enforce" this ordinance. In my 20 years living in this town, my 45-gallon container was never an issue until now, which makes me wonder if the workers have become incapable, or if the union is simply finding an area in which they have some leverage for justifying workers compensation claims. If we assume a low percentage of non-compliance (even though casual observation indicates it's pretty high), then there are literally thousands of households which need to replace cans -- at about $60/each, from what I've priced out at Home Depot.
My resolution is that I will add 40lb. weights to the bottom of each of my $180 worth of news cans; and I will be leaving three cans, instead of one, twice/week. I will not be tipping my sanitation workers this holiday season -- or ever again -- as I do regularly every year ($60 every year for $20 years -- I've paid them $1200 beyond the $24,500 I pay annually in taxes). Suck it Burrell. You and your AFSCME workers! Unions have ruined this country, and now have Montclair in the cross-hairs!
Despite our high and rising taxes we seem to be receiving less services. I don't see how this makes sense specially when I have never seen the workers lift the garbage pal and rather lifting the bags out of the can. I don't mind making the worker's life less difficult but not by implementing these type of ridiculous and non sense rules.
Why not simply limit the weight of the amount of trash placed in 50 gallon containers? Or, hire stronger trash collectors. Why not ask we drive the trash to the landfill ourselves. What are we supposed to do with our 50 gallon trash cans, that we just purchased from Home Depot? I would bet the average home in Montclair doesn't come close to filling 1 50 gal can per week. Let's worry about the horrible condition of our streets, or asking police officers to monitor the street lights, many of which are burned out so they can be reported to PSEG and repaired. Many streets in some areas are unsafe for cars and pedestrians.
I am truly amazed, especially since I just bought three new "over-sized" garbage cans.
This town has not let me down yet again with some of its utterly moronic decisions. At first I thought it was a joke. Doesn't anyone else wonder that for the past 20 years our garbage cans were the right size? Every darn store including ones in Montclair are selling the "wrong" sized garbage cans.
What are they going to do next? Tell us that onions can't be placed in them?....BUFFOONS.
A properly sized can costs around $10.00 to $15.00. If I make someone's hard day a little easier, I don't mind. You should try to lift full 45 gallon garbage pails all morning before you make silly comments about being disabled. I know I wouldn't want to do it.
I'd like a reasonable explanation. Are the sanitation workers coming disabled from heavy trash bins? Can I leave 5 35lb containers on my curb instead?. Seriously.