Schenectady's new trash stickers delayed, mailers expected within a week or so
Schenectady — The City of Schenectady was set to roll out its new trash policy on April 1st, but Mayor Gary McCarthy says mailing of stickers and other information has been more complicated than anticipated. This news was first reported by the Times Union.
“We’re just trying to make sure everything’s accurate and correct,” McCarthy told CBS6. “Also trying to get some other information in there about registrations, dog licensing, so there’s a more robust information platform that residents will find more useful when they get it.”
The City is mailing three free stickers for bulk items in that packet, with every sticker after that costing $5 if a resident wants to throw out a bulky item like a mattress or furniture. The Mayor says to expect the mailer at the end of this week, or next week.
“We’re not going out doing the enforcement in an aggressive manner. There are individuals who put garbage out that are clear violations. It’s what the city has looked at for the last two years. What are labeled the jackpots where people dump literally a ton or more on the street. The city picks it up. Those are ones that may at least have a different look at the changes in the code,” McCarthy said.
Schenectady police are also amping up their efforts of tracking down out-of-town individuals who are stashing their trash on Schenectady curbs, something this new legislation makes a misdemeanor.
McCarthy says early numbers show less waste being put on the curb in January and February compared to a year ago.
“People have been more cognizant and conscientious of what they’re putting out,” he says. “If that trend continues that lowers the overall expenses of collection in the city.”
But, while they work on what he’s calling a “dynamic process”, he’s also continuing to push the City Council to put more restrictions on what can be put on the curb, outside of the sticker implementation.
“The legislation adopted by the Council puts restrictions and fees on some material going out. It also says that there’s an unlimited number of bags that you put out so you put whatever you have in a bag, we have to pick it up,” McCarthy says.
CBS6: “How do you feel about that aspect of the legislation?”
Mayor McCarthy: “It’s lunacy.”
CBS6: “Why?”
Mayor McCarthy: “Well it doesn’t make sense. So if I want to charge you for a chair…I want you to put a sticker on it. If you put it in the bag, I can’t charge you.”