Resident Complaint Prompts Change To Morristown Trash Code

MORRISTOWN, NJ — A casual remark about the lack of clarity in the Morristown trash code made at a recent Morristown Council meeting has had a ripple effect, as a proposed ordinance for Thursday night's meeting looks to establish change.

On Oct. 25, during public comment, local resident Michael Quattro addressed a notice he received from code enforcement, which changed him to a summons he was facing for putting garbage bags on the curb.

According to Quattro, who read and reviewed the town's trash code aloud in front of the council, the way the Morristown solid waste management code was written leaves several things open to interpretation.

"When you actually read the ordinance, under the right conditions I can put as many hefty bags at the curb as I want," Quattro said.

According to the Morristown garbage code, all trash must be placed in a garbage container, which is defined as a substantial metal or plastic container, or a dark colored plastic bag that is securely tied shut.

"A garbage container is that plastic bag or a can, so I can take my kitchen garbage bag tie it up, drop it in that bag and throw it on the curb. All your ordinance says is garbage has to be double bagged," Quattro said.

His remark was intended to argue against the summons he was receiving from the town, but the council told him on Oct. 25 that because it was a litigation matter, all complaints would have to be dealt with in municipal court.

Following the remark, council member Iannaccone reasoned that, while the vague ordinance most likely had good intentions, it was something that needed to be addressed and possibly redefined.

"I apologize if you're upset about the interpretation of this ordinance and whether or not the ticket was appropriate…But I think you are bringing up a good point," Iannaccone said.

That comment appears to have gotten the council talking and thinking, because the council plans to discuss an ordinance amending sections of the trash code on Thursday night. According to the council agenda, there is a need to clarify the definition of “garbage container” within the town code.

The ordinance proposes removing the section that defines a garbage container as a substantial metal or plastic container, or a dark colored plastic bag. The council would then replace that section with a new definition, stating "a metal or plastic container of substantial construction with a capacity of not less than 10 nor more than 32 gallons, and with a tight-fitting lid and wheels and/or handles of sufficient size and strength to facilitate safe handling of the container when full as well as a device to secure the lid to the container."

All other sections of the code that did not previously expressly state "garbage container" have also been clarified, according to the ordinance.

The ordinance will be discussed further at the Thursday night council meeting, to view the full agenda, click here.