By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
Illegal and inane dumping of various materials has already forced Decatur officials to reduce some privileges available to residents, but the trend continues.
A couple of incidents observed by Councilman Scott Murray sparked a discussion about the growing problem at the latest city council meeting.
While at the recycling dropoff site on city property on Elm St. recently, Murray said he saw a man dump some cardboard on the ground. A pile of cardboard was already on the ground.
There were no bins/dumpsters available as the site was recently closed on weekends by city officials – due to considerable illegal dumping!
When he asked the man where he was from, he was told he was a resident of Monroe. The site, of course, is only for Decatur residents.
After some cordial talk, the man picked up his cardboard and left with it, Murray explained.
The councilman also said that at another time he saw a man throwing what appeared to be lumber scraps on the city’s compost pile – a definite no-no!
Finding a lot of wood at the compost pile a few weeks back, the city posted on Facebook some photos of the illegal dump, accompanied by the following:
“Reminder: Wood, fence posts/panels, treated lumber, and construction debris are NOT allowed at the compost site.
The compost site is for yard waste only. Please help keep the site clean and usable for everyone by disposing of non-accepted items properly.”
In a discussion after Murray’s revelations, Mayor Dan Rickord noted that “Decatur residents pay for this,” referring to the sites set up for the convenience of city residents.
Some possible solutions to the ongoing problems were greater camera surveillance (there are cameras as the Elm St. site), more signage, increased fines, etc.
The mayor noted – and everyone agreed – that there is no desire to take away the privileges afforded city residents. But everyone also agreed that something needs to be done to stop the growing problem.
NOTE: City photo shows some of the wood illegally dumped t the compost site across Jackson St. from Riverside Center.
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