The following article also appeared in the June 5, 2012 print edition of The Compass.
Municipal leaders in Carbonear took turns trashing the company that picks up garbage in the town during a May 28 council meeting, with Mayor Sam Slade describing the number of complaints as "unbearable."
Coun. George Butt Jr. said he's heard more concerns from citizens since January than in all his 22 years as a member of council.
"We need to put it to 'em," said Butt.
Lynch's Trucking Enterprises of Upper Island Cove was awarded a three-year, $771,732 contract late last year to carry out a multi-stream waste collection program, which includes household and bulk garbage, and a curbside recycling program that was scheduled to begin on Monday, June 4.
Town leaders made it clear they are not happy with the company's performance. Some of the complaints included starting collections before 8 a.m., refusing to pick up items such as window blinds or cardboard, and failing to pick up bulk garbage in a timely manner.
Deputy Mayor Ches Ash said he's received numerous complaints of household garbage not being picked up, and "I can't see why it is being left behind."
Slade said town leaders and employees are spending a great deal of time fielding complaints.
"It's eating away at our resources," the mayor said.
Several councillors suggested the issue is hindering efforts to beautify the town, and there is "no rhyme or reason" as to why some items are not being collected.
"If it's small enough to be put in a bag, it should be taken," said Slade.
Senior officials with the town met with a representative of the company on Thursday, May 31, andtown administrator Cynthia Davis said it went "very well."
The owner of the company, Dave Lynch, has been dealing with some medical problems, she explained, and is now back to work.
"He will be addressing the concerns of council," Davis stated, adding that the company is also ready for its role in the curbside recycling program.
Mayor Slade also described the meeting as "very productive," and offered assurances that the service would improve.
"He was gentlemanly about it, and was very obliging," Slade said of the company owner.
The company is a mainstay in the region in terms of the collection of household waste, and has similar contracts with several neighbouring communities, including Upper Island Cove and Spaniard's Bay.
An official with the Town of Spaniard's Bay, when apprised of the situation in Carbonear, expressed surprise.
"We get the usual types of calls, but we haven't had a problem," said the Spaniard's Bay town councillor.
Winston Trickett, who lives on Southside Lower Road in Carbonear, said he has "no problem" with the service.
In fact, he described the employees as "very co-operative."
Meanwhile, no one with Lynch's Trucking Enterprises was available for comment.
Surveillance cameras in place
Town officials have confirmed that several surveillance cameras are now in place at some locations known to be used by illegal dumpers.
Mayor Slade singled out the Fox Farm and Line Road as areas of special concern.
"We need to make a statement," Slade said.
Pictures from the cameras were described as "very clear," making it possible to identify dumpers and the licence plates of suspect vehicles.
Illegal dumping has become a serious problem in the region, and other towns have turned to cameras as a way of curbing the problem.
The Town of Conception Bay South recently went public with pictures of an alleged illegal dumper, and charges have been laid.
The devices are called "trail cameras,"and are motion activated. Enforcement officer Gord Parsons said the cameras take three frames per second, and several can be placed in a location in order to ensure adequate coverage.
The town has purchased five cameras, as a cost of roughly $500 each.
Parsons said the cameras can be used for other purposes, including monitoring parks and the new St. Patrick's Community Garden. He said they are also effective at night.
Amendment proposed to vehicle regulations
A notice of motion was briefly discussed about proposed changes to the regulations governing the parking of commercial vehicles in a residential area.
Council is expected to vote on an amendment at its next meeting. If approved, it will limit the number of commercial vehicles parked on a residential property to one.
Currently, the regulations are specific to commercial vehicles that carry hazardous materials such as fuel oil.
The new regulations will target larger vehicles such as buses, dump trucks and other heavy equipment. Light duty pickups and vans will not be included.
