SALEM WEATHER

City Council Finalizes New Ordinance on Bulky Items and Fees

In a bid to streamline waste management processes, the Salem City Council Committee on Ordinances, Licenses, and Legal Affairs convened on July 11th, 2024, to address policy changes surrounding the pickup fees for bulky waste items. This meeting marked a crucial step in ensuring transparent and sustainable local waste management.

  • Ordinance Updates: A new ordinance that details the collection fees for large items was reviewed and subsequently approved by the committee.
    • Residents will now pay $18.73 per bulky item for curbside collection.
    • Mattresses and box springs have a set fee of $50, payable directly to contracted waste services.
  • Hardship Waivers: Recognizing the financial strain this may impose on some residents, the council confirmed the availability of hardship waivers.
    • Residents experiencing financial difficulties can apply for a waiver, relieving them of the collection costs.
  • Communication Concerns: Council members highlighted the need for effective communication about these changes.
    • Several suggestions were made to ensure residents are informed, including potential mailers with water bills.
  • Service Provider Issues: Some confusion arose over the contact process with Waste Management, the service provider.
    • Residents reported connectivity issues, which the council pledged to address promptly.

Overall, the council’s unwavering commitment to accommodating residents' financial constraints, coupled with proposed avenues for keeping citizens informed, underscores the collaborative efforts to foster a sustainable community environment. The meeting concluded with a positive recommendation to the full council, ensuring the new ordinance's swift implementation.

This is an AI summary generated from this YouTube video. There may be inaccuracies.