JACKSON – The Township Council has amended a municipal ordinance that deals with the improper disposal of garbage and waste materials.
The amendment increased the penalty for ordinance violations pertaining to illegal disposal of solid waste to the statutory maximum permitted.
The amended ordinance states that any person who violates the code “shall be subject to a fine of a minimum amount of $2,500 or a maximum of $10,000, or a term of imprisonment in the county jail not to exceed 90 days, or both, or community service as ordered by the court, which shall not reduce the fine impose by more than 50 percent.”
Council President Ken Bressi, Vice President Robert Nixon, Councilman Scott Martin and Councilwoman Ann Updegrave voted to adopt the amended ordinance at the May 8 meeting. Councilman Barry Calogero was absent.
“Lets make sure we enforce this,” Nixon said.
At the council’s April 10 meeting, Planning Board member Jeff Riker, who owns a garbage collection company, addressed the council about illegal dumping he said he has witnessed around Jackson.
Riker told officials he has watched people transport garbage without having a license to conduct that type of business. He said he believes certain individuals are cleaning out foreclosed homes and are being paid by banks that own the homes.
He said the system “is plagued” with people who pick up garbage. Riker said Jackson officials must impose heavy financial penalties on individuals who break the law.
On April 24, council members introduced amendments to Jackson’s garbage, rubbish and waste materials ordinance. Two weeks later the amendments were adopted.
Upon the ordinance’s adoption, Riker thanked the council members for making the changes.
“I would like to personally thank the council, the administrative staff and the township attorney (Jean Cipriani) for their hard work and pushing the trash ordinance through and protecting your resources. Job well done,” Riker said.
Bressi thanked Riker for bringing the issue to the council’s attention. After the meeting Bressi commented on the amendments. He said there are “new problems” arising from various state regulations and he suggested illegal dumping “could possibly happen more now.”
“We want to be ready for it just in case and have laws in place so we could stop it,” he said.
