The following Article is hereby established
providing for municipal collection of household refuse and garbage.
For the purposes of this article, the following
words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to
them by this section:
COMBUSTIBLE RUBBISH
All combustible material, including newspaper, magazines,
cardboard boxes, cartons, wood (of proper size), rags, discarded clothing,
leaves and grass clippings.
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Includes all establishments wherein business transactions
or services are rendered to the public. Apartment houses with seven
or more dwelling units and mobile home parks are classified as "commercial
establishments" for the purposes of this article.
DWELLING UNIT
Any room, or group of rooms, within a structure that is designed
to be used by one family for living, sleeping, regular cooking (operating
stove and refrigerator) and eating.
GARBAGE
All vegetable, animal, fish, fowl or fruit matter resulting
from the use or storage of food for human consumption.
NONCOMBUSTIBLE RUBBISH
All noncombustible waste, including fuel residue, tin or
metal cans, bottles, household appliances and all other refuse not
already defined as combustible rubbish or garbage, but excluding liquids.
REFUSE
A general term that includes garbage and combustible and
noncombustible rubbish and which is used throughout the Article to
simplify the text.
The Director of Public Works shall have the
charge, care and management of the personnel and equipment engaged
in, and the administration of, the program for collection of household
refuse in the City of Pawtucket. The Director of Public Works shall
have the power to set any rules not heretofore mentioned.
The Department of Public Works shall collect
refuse from the residential structures and municipal buildings as
set forth by this article.
The following uses or structures shall be eligible
for household refuse collection by the City of Pawtucket:
A. Residential structures with fewer than seven dwelling
units.
C. Structures used for municipal offices or services.
[Amended 7-12-1979 by Ch. No. 1702; amended 11-8-1984 by Ch. No.
1910; 7-25-1996 by Ch. No. 2420; 5-22-2003 by Ch. No. 2682; 10-22-2020 by Ch. No. 3234]
A. Structures with seven or more dwelling units are defined
as "commercial establishments" and are not eligible for municipal
refuse collection services. It is the responsibility of the owners
of such structures, or their agents, to provide for the storage and
collection of refuse in a manner fully consistent with this article.
Such structures may employ a private collection service that utilizes
either a commercial collection container, barrels with covers or plastic
bags.
B. All commercial trash and garbage containers (commonly
known as "dumpsters"), whether at commercial establishments or otherwise,
shall be covered, and the name, address and telephone number of said
commercial contractor or company shall be prominently displayed on
each container.
C. Said commercial trash and garbage containers, whether
at commercial establishments or otherwise, shall be screened by fencing
or shrubbery if visible from the street.
D. All dumpsters, whether at commercial establishments
or otherwise, shall be serviced only between the hours of 7:00 a.m.
and 7:00 p.m. Anyone in violation of this subsection shall be subject
to a fine of up to $100 for each day in violation. Second and subsequent
violations may be subject to a fine of up to $300.
[Amended 7-25-1996 by Ch. No. 2420]
Refuse shall be collected at least once a week
from all commercial and residential structures in the City of Pawtucket,
or as many times as necessary in order to eliminate potential health
hazards or as the Director of Public Works or Director of Zoning and
Code Enforcement may determine.
The Director of Public Works shall divide the
City into districts for the collection of refuse combustibles and
shall establish routes, days and times for the collection in each
such district. The Director of Public Works shall provide reasonable
notification of the day and time of collection when there is a change
in the collection schedule for the householders in each district by
advertisement in a local newspaper and by any other method which the
Director may consider advisable.
As part of the administrative powers granted
to the Director of Public Works, for the purposes of refuse collection,
the Director is empowered to establish refuse collection rules.
[Amended 4-9-1981 by Ch. No. 1756; 11-8-1984 by Ch. No. 1910; 5-5-1995 by Ch. No. 2386; 9-26-1996 by Ch. No.
2424; 5-5-1995 by Ch. No. 2386; 5-10-2007 by Ch. No. 2842]
In order for refuse to be collected on a weekly
schedule by the City of Pawtucket Department of Public Works, the
following rules shall apply:
A. Loose garbage will not be collected. All residential
solid waste containers, recycling bins or bags shall be placed at
the curb, in front of said residence, not before 4:00 p.m. the day
before collection. All reusable containers shall be removed from the
curb no longer than eight hours after collection. No containers shall
be placed in or on the street.
B. All refuse receptacles must be watertight. Receptacles
must be free from jagged or sharp edges.
C. No container may be over 32 gallons in capacity or
75 pounds in weight when filled. Oil drums are prohibited.
D. Wood must be no longer than three feet long and must
be tied in small bundles. The wood must be free of nails and screws.
Wood must be scheduled for pickup through the Sanitation Department.
E. Yard waste will be collected on trash collection day.
It must be separate from the regular trash. Yard waste consists of
grass, tree limbs, leaves and plants. Tree limbs must be no larger
than three inches in diameter and no longer than three feet in length,
and must be tied in small bundles. Yard waste must be placed in composting
bags or in barrels only. No plastic bags will be accepted. Yard waste
will be picked up from April until October only.
F. Cardboard must be separated from the trash to be recycled.
Trash placed in cardboard will not be accepted.
G. Rugs must be cut into sections of no longer than four-foot
lengths, and tied and bundled.
H. No sand, dirt, sod, rocks, demolition lumber, broken
concrete, asphalt, plaster, tile, brick or other construction material
will be collected.
I. No automobile or motorcycle parts. No tires, motor
oil or hazardous liquids. Tires and motor oil may be dropped off at
the Grotto Avenue transfer station by obtaining a pass for your vehicle
at the Public Works office.
J. If refuse is of such size and nature that it cannot
be placed in containers, then it shall be so arranged next to the
container that it may be picked up by the collector; otherwise, the
collector may properly refuse to take same.
K. No frozen containers or containers with warm ashes.
L. No uncooked animal carcasses or parts.
M. Metal items must be scheduled for pickup by the owner
of the property through the Sanitation Department before putting them
on the curbside.
N. Propane tanks must be dropped off at the Public Works
Department, located at 250 Armistice Boulevard. Items such as stoves,
washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, freezers, water
coolers, mattresses, box springs or televisions (except propane tanks)
must be scheduled for pickup by the owner of the property before putting
them on the curbside.
[Amended 6-14-2011 by Ch. No. 2969]
O. Furniture must be scheduled for pickup by the owner
of the property. There is no charge for furniture pickup. Pickup shall
be limited to four pieces per appointment.
P. No full paint cans. Latex paint cans should be placed
with the cover off in the regular trash after the paint has dried.
Oil paint can be disposed of by calling the Eco Depot at 942-1430.
Call for the location of drop-off sites.
Q. Computers and all computer equipment shall not be
put out with the trash. These items may be dropped off at the Grotto
Avenue transfer station by obtaining a pass for your vehicle at the
Public Works office.
R. All dogs must be leashed, restrained or fenced in
on the day of collection.
S. Pending collection, all refuse shall be stored in receptacles as provided in Subsection
C above.
T. Receptacles so stored shall be screened by fencing
or shrubbery if visible from the street.
U. Properties managed by private companies shall be responsible
for all bulky waste pickup and disposal from that property.
V. The City hereby incorporates by reference the rules
of the R1 Resource Recovery Corporation and future amendments thereof.
[Added 5-10-2007 by Ch. No. 2842; amended 6-14-2011 by Ch. No.
2969; 1-6-2022 by Ch. No. 3248]
Bulky waste pickups by the City of Pawtucket
will be free of charge unless they exceed the limits. Bulky waste
pickups must be scheduled with the Department of Public Works and
the appropriate fees paid prior to pickups being done. The following
are the limits for items and the charges for pickups over the allowable
limit:
|
Refrigerator
|
A/C
|
Water Cooler
|
---|
Unit Size
|
Number Allowed Per Year
|
Charge Per Item
|
Number Allowed Per Year
|
Charge Per Item Over Limit
|
Number Allowed Per Year
|
Charge Per Item Over Limit
|
---|
|
0
|
$16
|
|
|
|
|
1 family
|
|
|
2
|
$16
|
2
|
$16
|
2 family
|
|
|
2
|
$16
|
2
|
$16
|
3 family
|
|
|
3
|
$16
|
3
|
$16
|
4 family
|
|
|
4
|
$16
|
4
|
$16
|
5 family
|
|
|
5
|
$16
|
5
|
$16
|
6 family
|
|
|
6
|
$16
|
6
|
$16
|
|
TV
|
Mattress
|
Box Spring
|
---|
Unit Size
|
Number Allowed Per Year
|
Charge Per Item Over Limit
|
Number Allowed Per Year
|
Charge Per Item
|
Number Allowed Per Year
|
Charge Per Item
|
---|
|
|
|
0
|
$16
|
0
|
$16
|
1 family
|
2
|
$6
|
|
|
|
|
2 family
|
2
|
$6
|
|
|
|
|
3 family
|
3
|
$6
|
|
|
|
|
4 family
|
4
|
$6
|
|
|
|
|
5 family
|
5
|
$6
|
|
|
|
|
6 family
|
6
|
$6
|
|
|
|
|
Wherever there has been failure to comply with
the provisions of this article or with the provisions of the rules
and regulations established under this article, the Department of
Public Works may refuse the collection of any refuse from the householder
where such failure has occurred, until such time as compliance with
the provisions of this article and with the rules and regulations
established under this article has occurred on a regular collection
day. Any householder, the collection of whose refuse has been refused
as provided herein, shall cause such refuse to be removed forthwith
at their own cost and expense.
[Amended 11-8-1984 by Ch. No. 1910; 11-21-1996 by Ch. No. 2433; 5-7-1998 by Ch. No. 2488]
A. The responsibility for enforcing the rules and regulations
regarding the collection and storage of household refuse is placed
with the Director of Public Works, who may delegate any of his or
her powers or duties hereunder to any properly qualified employee
of the Division of Zoning and Code Enforcement (hereinafter referred
to as the "Enforcing Officer").
B. An Enforcing Officer may order the owner or occupant of any premises in the City to remove at his or her own expense any nuisance, refuse, solid waste, source of filth or filth found thereon within 24 hours after the service of the notice as prescribed in Subsection
C.
C. The notice shall be in writing, signed by an Enforcing
Officer and served by any sheriff, deputy sheriff, constable, police
constable or the Pawtucket City sergeant, by reading the notice in
the presence and hearing of the owner, occupant or his or her authorized
agent or by leaving a copy of the order personally with or at the
last and usual place of abode of the owner, occupant or agent, if
within this state. But if the premises are unoccupied, or the residence
of the owner or agent is unknown or without the state, the notice
may be served by posting a certified copy of the notice on the premises,
and notice by one publication in at least one newspaper of general
circulation in the City. However, other methods of service as set
forth in the Municipal Court's Rules of Procedure may also be utilized
by the City.
D. If the owner or occupant fails to comply with the
order, an Enforcing Officer may cause the nuisance, source of filth,
refuse, solid waste or filth to be removed; and all expenses incurred
thereby shall be paid by the owner, occupant or other person who caused
or permitted the refuse, solid waste or filth to be recovered in an
action brought in the name of the City, including placing a lien on
the property for all expenses incurred by the municipality.
E. Each day in excess of 24 hours that any person shall
permit offending refuse or garbage to remain after receipt of such
a request from an Enforcing Officer shall be deemed as a separate
offense under this section.
F. Notwithstanding the above, no notice in writing shall
be required for any violations of this chapter regarding large item
pickup. Also, each day that any person shall permit offending refuse
or garbage to remain shall be deemed as a separate offense under this
section.
[Amended 11-23-2011 by Ch. No. 2984]
[Amended 11-8-1984 by Ch. No. 1910]
Whenever a violation of this article occurs
or is alleged to have occurred, any person may file a written complaint.
Such complaint, stating fully the cause and basis thereof, shall be
filed with the Director of Public Works, his or her agent or designee.
The Director, his or her agent or designee, shall properly record
such a complaint, immediately investigate and take action as provided
by this article.
[Amended 11-8-1984 by by Ch. No. 1910]
A. Violation of the provisions of this article or failure to comply with any of its requirements shall constitute a violation. Any person who violates this article or fails to comply with any of its requirements, except §
347-14H, shall, upon conviction thereof, be fined no less than $100 and, in addition, shall pay all costs and expenses involved in the case. Each day such violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
[Amended 5-5-1995 by Ch. No. 2386; 5-24-2018 by Ch. No. 3160]
B. Any person who violates §
347-14H shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of $200 for the first offense, $300 for the second offense and $500 for each subsequent offense.
[Added 5-5-1995 by Ch. No. 2386]
C.
(1) The fine for violation of §
347-10B regarding covered containers shall be in the amount of $50 for each violation.
(2) The fine for violation of §
347-10C regarding screening of said commercial trash and garbage containers shall be in the amount not less than $50 nor more than $500 for each violation.
(3) The fine for violation of §
347-10B regarding failure to prominently display the name, address and telephone number of the commercial contractor or company shall be in the amount of $25 for each violation.
D. Habitual offender. Any person cited under the provisions of this article after two separate violations within a one-year period shall, upon the third violation commencing with the date of the first violation, be deemed a habitual offender and shall be immediately cited and summoned before the Pawtucket Municipal Police Court without the necessity of notice provided in §
347-16 hereof. Said Court shall, upon conviction, impose a fine of no less than $200 and, in addition, shall assess said offender all costs and expenses involved in the violation. A violation log shall be maintained by the Director of Public Works, his or her agent or designee.
[Amended 7-25-1996 by Ch. No. 2420]
E. Violations of §
347-14.1.
[Added 1-6-2022 by Ch. No. 3248]
(1) The fine for the violation of §
347-14.1 shall be in the amount of $100 for the first offense;
(2) $200
for the second offense; and
(3) $400
for the third and every offense after that.
[Added 7-21-2005 by Ch. No. 2275]
A. All persons engaged in the business of collection
or hauling of refuse and the operation of transfer stations within
the City boundaries shall be issued a license by the City Council
upon application if reasonably qualified.
B. The Public Works Department, in conjunction with the
Division of Zoning and Code Enforcement, shall promulgate reasonable
rules and regulations governing the licensing of all qualified persons
engaged in the business of collection and hauling of refuse and operation
of transfer stations with respect to all refuse within the City's
boundaries. These rules shall be approved and adopted by the City
Council.
C. If any licensed person permits any of the laws of
this state, or any ordinance of the City, to be violated, notice of
said violation shall be forwarded to the City Council by either the
Public Works Department or the Division of Zoning and Code Enforcement.
D. If any licensed person permits any of the laws of
this state, or any ordinance of the City, to be violated, in addition
to any punishment or penalties that may be prescribed by statute or
ordinance for that offense, he or she may be summoned before the City
Council, when he or she and the witnesses for and against him or her
may be heard. If it appears to the satisfaction of the City Council
that the licensee has permitted any of the laws of this state, or
any ordinance of the City, to be violated, then the City Council may
suspend or revoke the license or enter another order. Any licensed
person who fails to appear before the City Council, after being duly
summoned, shall have his license suspended until he appears before
the City Council and shows cause why the license should be reinstated.