Weirton Council adjusts garbage ordinance
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WEIRTON -- A divided vote by city council Monday may lead to changes in the way Weirton residents can store their garbage cans.
Weirton Council voted 5-2 in favor of the first reading of an ordinance, sponsored by Ward 2 Councilman Chris Jonczak, modifying a portion of Ordinance 2130, codified as Article 971 in city code, related to "Garbage and Rubbish Collection."
In addition to Jonczak, Councilmembers George Ash, Flora Perrone, Enzo Fracasso and Tim Connell voted in favor, with Councilmembers Fred Marsh and Terry Weigel voting against.
The original ordinance was approved by council on Sept. 8, 2020, in an effort to clearly regulate the collection of garbage and rubbish.
"There was a section in our ordinance that was out of reach for many of us on council," Jonczak said.
If finalized by a second reading, a section would be removed from the ordinance which currently reads, "All garbage/rubbish containers of any nature whatsoever shall be situated in a non-visible area not visible from the street or highway until placed in an appropriate location for pending garbage/rubbish pick up."
All other aspects of Article 971 are still in effect, including requirements to remove garbage cans from the curbside area after crews have collected the rubbish. Garbage storage containers are to be placed curbside no earlier than 5 p.m. the day before and no later than 7 a.m. on the scheduled pickup day, and removed from the curb by 11 p.m. on the pickup day.
"That does not mean leaving trash all over the city," Jonczak said. "We're just removing the one sentence."
Weigel noted passage of the ordinance in 2020 was an effort to help beautify the community, but Jonczak claimed "95%" of the city was in violation of the visibility requirements.
Marsh noted the city has had some form of regulation governing the placement of garbage cans since the 1960s.
"Because somebody went on social media, we're changing it," Marsh said, referring to recent social media posts by residents on the matter.
Jonczak, though, said he had received telephone calls prior to any commentary on social media, adding the online platform gave residents another avenue to express themselves.
Code Official Matt Burskey noted the city's Inspections Department hasn't been citing residents for the placement of garbage cans, but emphasized cans still need to be removed from the curbside area within the appropriate timeframe.