[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Lincoln as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Hazardous substances — See Ch. 140.
Littering — See Ch. 164.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 202.
Abandoned vehicles — See Ch. 237.
STATE LAW REFERENCES
Refuse disposal — See R.I.G.L. § 23-18.9-1 et seq.
[Adopted as §§ 9-1-1 through 9-1-6 of the 1972 Code (Ch. 7, Art. I, of the 1990 Code of Ordinances)]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
GARBAGE
All vegetable, animal, fish, fowl or fruit matter resulting from the use or storage of food for human consumption.
PAPER
All combustible material, including newsprint, magazines, cardboard boxes, cartons, rags and cast-off clothing.
RUBBISH
All noncombustible waste, including fuel residue, tin cans, bottles or metal and all other refuse not already defined as garbage or paper, but excluding liquids.
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 all garbage and refuse in the Town.
The Director of Public Works shall make rules and regulations concerning the types of containers, further classification of paper and rubbish, separation of paper and rubbish according to class, in order to promote the safe and convenient handling of paper and rubbish and to promote the orderly appearance of the Town when paper and rubbish are on the sidewalk awaiting collection.
The Director of Public Works shall divide the Town into districts for the collection of paper and rubbish 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 for the householders in each district by advertisement in a local newspaper and by any other method, if any, which he may consider advisable.
[Added 6-20-1989 by Ord. No. 89-10]
Nonrecyclable waste shall conform to the following regulations:
A. 
All garbage must be wrapped in paper or placed in tied plastic bags.
B. 
Trash containers must not exceed a capacity of 30 gallons and must have handles sufficient for lifting.
C. 
Refuse which contains construction waste or sand, dirt, rocks, bricks, shingles, etc., will not be collected.
D. 
Refuse which is likely to cause fire will not be collected.
E. 
Broken glass will not be accepted unless it is in rubbish barrels.
F. 
Ashes and sawdust must be placed in a disposable container.
G. 
Animal and human waste will not be collected.
H. 
A maximum of 12 bags or containers, exclusive of recyclable materials, per household per week will be collected.
I. 
Any additional rules as determined and published by the Director.
Householders who desire their paper and rubbish to be collected by the Department of Public Works shall place such paper and rubbish in containers on the sidewalk, without obstructing passage along the sidewalk, on the day appointed by the Director of Public Works for collection of such paper and rubbish on the street on which the household resides and before the hour appointed for the beginning of collections by the Department of Public Works.
[Added 6-20-1989 by Ord. No. 89-10]
A. 
The Town is required by law to limit the refuse which is collected by the community and may result in the levy of additional costs or fees for refuse which exceeds our community weight disposal cap.
B. 
Should any household by request exceed the limit of 12 bags or containers, the Director may assess an appropriate fee for extra services required.
C. 
Residents may purchase stickers at the Town Hall which can be applied to a disposal bag or item for pickup beyond the limit of 12 containers or bags. The sticker shall be available at a cost of $1 per bag or container. Any bags beyond the limit which do not have stickers will not be collected.
[Added 6-12-1974]
From the time of placement by any resident of used and/or old newspaper or other material for collection by the Department of Public Works pursuant to the regulations set forth by the director of the Department of Public Works, such materials shall become and be the property of the Town. It shall be a violation of this article for any person other than the authorized representatives of the Department or authorized nonprofit organizations for a period 24 hours thereafter to collect, pick up, disturb or cause to be collected or picked up such materials. Any and each such collection or act in violation hereof from one or more residences during such period shall constitute a separate and distinct offense punishable in accordance with Chapter 1, General Provisions, Article II, General Penalty, of the Code of the Town of Lincoln.
[Added 6-12-1974]
Nothing in this article shall prohibit the Department of Public Works from cooperating with any nonprofit organization holding a charter showing such status issued by the Office of the Secretary of State in such organizations' efforts to raise money by the collection of paper, metal, glass or other materials. Such organizations, if they intend to use the public sidewalks or rights-of-way for the deposit of such material, shall first obtain a permit from the Director of Public Works stating the date and area of such collection. The Director shall not refuse such permission unless there be substantial doubt of the organization's nonprofit status or if there be substantial doubt that the collection will result in the placement of debris, rubbish, garbage or other noxious materials on the public ways and if there be substantial doubt that such materials will not be removed by the permittee.
Whenever there has been failure to comply with the provisions of this article or with the provisions of the rules and regulations to be established hereunder, the Department of Public Works may refuse the collection of any paper or rubbish from the householder wherever such failure has occurred on a regular collection day. Any householder, the collection of whose paper and rubbish has been refused as provided by this section, shall cause the paper and rubbish to be removed forthwith at his own cost and expense.
[Adopted 3-20-2001 by Ord. No. 01-1[1] (Ch. 7, Art. II, of the 1990 Code of Ordinances)]
[1]
Editor's Note: Article 3 of this ordinance provided that it shall be implemented upon acceptance of the Town of Lincoln into the State of Rhode Island Recycling Program.
As used in this article, the following terms will be defined as follows:
ARRANGEMENTS
The process by which the Town of Lincoln plans for and carries out the separation, weighing, collection, hauling, and disposal of solid waste generated within the Town.
BULK ITEM
An item of solid waste larger than two feet by two feet by four feet or heavier than 50 pounds.
HAZARDOUS WASTE
Any waste as defined in the Rhode Island Hazardous Waste Management Act, R.I.G.L. § 23-19.1-4, in regulations adopted thereto, and as they may be amended.
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE
Hazardous municipal solid waste.
LOCAL RECYCLING PROGRAM
A recycling program for municipal solid waste as set forth in a local recycling plan approved by the state pursuant to the Municipal Recycling Regulations, as amended.
MIXED RECYCLABLES
Recyclable materials which are required to be removed from municipal solid waste at the source and placed in or on top of the set-out container provided by the state for transport to the nearest materials recovery facility for recycling.
MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE
Solid waste generated by the residents of the Town of Lincoln in the course of their daily living. “Municipal solid waste” does not include solid waste generated by residents in the course of their employment or that generated by any construction, manufacturing, or commercial enterprise.
RECYCLED MATERIALS
Materials separated from municipal solid waste for refuse as specified by the Director of DEM and listed in Section 4 of Municipal Recycling Regulations and within this article. The materials to be included may change from time to time depending upon new technologies, economic conditions, waste stream characteristics, environmental effects or mutual agreement between the state and the Town of Lincoln.
RESIDENT
Anyone residing in the Town of Lincoln for any period of time who generates solid waste for which the Town accepts responsibility for disposal.
SOLID WASTE
Garbage, refuse and other discarded solid materials generated by residential, institution, commercial, industrial and agricultural sources but not including solids or dissolved material in domestic sewage or sewage sludge, nor hazardous waste as defined in the Hazardous Waste Management Act, Chapter 19.1 of the General Laws.
SOURCE SEPARATION
The removal by the generator of recyclable materials including mixed recyclables from all other solid waste generated by the household, and conveyance of the recyclables to the curbside or other designated location for transfer by the Town.
TRANSFER STATION
A facility operated by or for the Town, which purpose is for the temporary storage and accumulation of solid waste prior to its transport to and disposal at the corporation landfill or resource recovery facility.
WHITE GOODS
Major kitchen or laundry appliances, regardless of color, including but not limited to stoves, washers, refrigerators, and dryers. Nothing in this definition shall waive compliance with the Rules and Regulations for Generation, Transportation, Storage, and Disposal of Hazardous Waste.
There is hereby established a program for the mandatory separation of certain recyclable materials from municipal solid waste by the residents of the Town of Lincoln and the collection of segregated municipal solid waste at the resident's curbside, or at other specified locations. The collection of separated recyclables shall be made periodically under the supervision of the Director of Public Works.
A position shall be created within the Department of Public Works for a Recycling Coordinator. Compensation for the position of Recycling Coordinator shall be established by ordinance. The Recycling Coordinator shall report to the Director of Public Works and shall assume responsibilities for the effective community-wide participation in recycling selected solid waste consistent with the terms of this article.
A. 
The Director of Public Works shall oversee the implementation of this article.
B. 
The Director of Public Works shall oversee the implementation of the terms of this article with the assistance of the Department of Public Works and the Recycling Coordinator. The Lincoln School Department shall assist the Director of Public Works in encouraging and assisting public education concerning municipal recycling.
[Amended 6-21-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-2]
The Town shall provide for the collection of mixed recyclable from residents in dwellings of up to and including four units. Mixed recyclables shall be placed at the curbside in designated containers. For the purposes of this regulation, mixed recyclables to be collected are:
A. 
Mixed recyclables: aluminum and steel/tin cans; aluminum foil and scrap (e.g., pie plates); metal lids; empty steel aerosol cans; empty paint cans (dried); glass bottles and jars (clear, brown, green); No. 1 PETE plastic containers; No. 2 HDPE plastic bottles and jugs; paper milk cartons and juice boxes; and
B. 
Paper recyclables: mail; magazines and catalogs; writing paper, corrugated cardboard (e.g., cereal boxes); newspaper; brown (Kraft) paper bags; telephone directories; and
C. 
Textiles: old clothing and shoes. NOTE: Blue clothing recycling bins are located at the Lincoln Highway Garage on 94 Old River Road.
The Director of Public Works shall provide for mandatory recycling of white goods. The pickup of white goods shall be scheduled by residents with the Department of Public Works and shall be picked up by special appointment. All doors must be removed from refrigerators, freezers, stoves, washers and dryers prior to being placed at curbside.
The Director of Public Works or his or her designee shall prominently publish the initial schedule for said collection and shall publish a new schedule thereafter whenever there is a change in either materials to be collected, collection procedures, or schedules.
[Amended 6-21-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-2]
Recyclable materials shall be deposited at the curb in special recycling containers provided by the Town to the residents. These containers shall be the property of the Town of Lincoln and shall initially be provided free of charge and thereafter for a fee as determined by the Director for replacements. Only recyclable materials placed in the special recycling container shall be collected.
The Town shall require the separation of recyclables as a condition of licensing or authorizing public events at which significant solid waste may be generated. The Town shall dispose of the recyclables separated in accordance with the terms of this article.
Businesses, apartments and condominiums shall be subject to all state and federal recycling regulations.
For apartments and condominiums in excess of four units, as may be allowed by the Department of Environmental Management and the Solid Waste Management Corporation, the Director of Public Works shall have the authority to allow apartments and condominiums to participate in the solid waste disposal and recycling effort within the Town of Lincoln. Regulations approved by the Director may allow for the inclusion of these wastes within the municipal cap as determined by the Solid Waste Management Corporation and shall mandate a supervised recycling program in accordance with the requirements of the state. Such regulations may allow for community collection of solid waste with existing equipment and personnel, as may be determined by the Director.
The Department of Public Works shall maintain a facility receptacle at the Highway Garage, or other location as determined, for the receipt of used motor oil. Said facility/receptacle shall be open to the residents of the Town between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. during the schedule workdays. Each resident shall sign a register to be maintained at the Highway Garage indicating their name, address, and the quantity of oil deposited. No commercial deposits will be accepted for used motor oil.
The Town of Lincoln encourages the use of home composting sites for the disposal of leaves. Should home composting be unavailable, leaf pickup can be scheduled with the Department of Public Works. Leaves for municipal pickup shall be bagged (in biodegradable paper bags only) and separated from other solid waste and set at the curb for collection. Said collection will be accomplished separately by the Department of Public Works as soon as possible, without interference with normal solid waste collection.
All residents, taxpayers and others doing business in the Town of Lincoln shall separate recyclables from the nonrecyclables portion of their solid waste and shall prepare them for recycling in accordance with regulations or specifications as determined by the Municipal Recycling Facility and published by the Town.
Residents may give recyclables to individuals or duly licensed private and nonprofit organizations. Such collections shall be arranged and reported in a manner specified by the Director of Public Works in compliance with DEM reporting requirements.
A. 
Initial violations for failure to separate recyclable and non-recyclable materials or for leaving recyclables prepared in a manner inconsistent with the Town's rules for preparation shall result in the issuance of a notice which shall be attached to the container advising the residents of their duties under the law. A copy of said notice shall be kept by the Director of Public Works. Collectors shall, despite initial notices and violations, pick up the solid waste unless otherwise directed by the Public Works Director.
B. 
Collectors shall advise the Director of Public Works of those residents who consistently refuse to prepare recyclable materials in a manner consistent with this article or the Town's rules for preparation. The Recycling Coordinator, with the approval of the Director of Public Works, shall notify violating residents by written mailed notice advising of their duty under the law and warning that further violations may result in fines or the issuance of a summons as stated in Subsection D.
C. 
The Director shall allow violators a hearing upon written request filed within 10 days of the mailing of the written notice stated above. For good cause shown (including but not limited to pertinent, physical handicap), the Director or his designee may grant appropriate relief from the provision of this section.
D. 
After written notification from the Director of Public Works has been issued, said residents who violate the terms of this article shall be issued a summons to appear in Municipal Court for violation and may be fined up to $200 per violation for noncompliance.
[Amended 5-16-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-3]
Once municipal solid waste has been deposited in the designated place and at the designated time, be it curbside or other as designated by the Director, said solid waste becomes the property of the Town of Lincoln. No person engaged in the business of separation, recovery, collection, removal, storage, or disposition of solid waste shall pick up or procure any recyclable materials as defined under this article, except as specifically authorized by the Director of Public Works. This restriction shall also include any resident, business, or other person who might engage in such practice for personal gain. Violators of the terms of this section shall be subject to District Court summons and may be fined up to $200 per violation. This section shall not impose responsibility or obligation on the part of the Town of Lincoln to pick up, collect or dispose of materials which are deposited at the curb in any manner not conforming to this article.
The Director of Public Works may issue permits to private parties or charitable organizations to collect recyclable materials on the condition that a report is filed by said party or organization detailing the amount of each material collected, in compliance with DEM reporting requirements and provided that the Director of Public Works determines that said collection does not defeat the purposes of the Town's Recycling Program.
Residents participating in the Town-wide solid waste recycling and disposal program shall schedule the removal of bulk items separately with the Department of Public Works. Bulk item collection will be limited to items having a maximum weight of 200 pounds per item and/or 300 pounds per lot. The collection of bulk items which measure greater than four feet in length may be refused. A residential household will be limited to no more than two bulk pickups per year.
Nonrecyclable waste collection shall conform to the following regulations:
A. 
All garbage must be wrapped in paper or placed in tied plastic bags.
B. 
Trash container(s) must not exceed 30 gallons' capacity and must have handles sufficient for lifting,
C. 
Refuse which contains construction waste and/or sand, dirt, rocks, bricks, shingles, etc., will not be collected.
D. 
Refuse which is likely to cause fire will not be collected.
E. 
Broken glass will not be accepted unless it is in rubbish barrels.
F. 
Ashes and sawdust must be placed in a disposable container.
G. 
Animal and human waste will not be collected.
H. 
A maximum of 12 bags or containers, exclusive of recyclable materials, per household per will be collected.
I. 
Any additional rules as determined and published by the Director.
[Amended 4-20-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-5; 12-20-2022 by Ord. No. 2022-8]
A. 
As published by the Director of Public Works, curbside refuse collection shall be accomplished weekly. For the designated day of collection, refuse must be placed at the curbside no later than 7:00 a.m. and no earlier than 24 hours in advance on the assigned day unless there is a delay of services. All reusable containers shall be removed from the curb or sidewalk no longer than 24 hours after collection. The property owner is responsible to ensure that any garbage left behind must be cleared to ensure safety and cleanliness of the area. Not adhering to the above guidelines will be considered a violation.
B. 
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.
C. 
A first violation shall be subject to a fine of $50 to the property owner for each offense; each and every violation and nonconformance, or each day that any provision shall have been violated, shall be construed as a separate and distinct violation thereof. Subsequent violations would be subject to a $50 incremental increase per violation within a calendar year. All such fines shall inure to the benefit of the Town. In an occurrence where there is a complaint of debris overflowing beyond the container limits, or debris is uncontained and left on the ground, a representative of the Town will contact the property owner and afford the property owner 24 hours to bring the property in compliance. If the debris is not addressed properly within 24 hours, or the debris is considered a significant safety and health nuisance, the Town may dispose of the debris at the property owner's expense. The property owner will be sent a Municipal Court summons with fines and penalties to be aligned to the Town of Lincoln's Littering Ordinance. Refer to § 164-5, Violations and penalties.
A. 
The Town of Lincoln is required by law to limit the refuse which is collected by the community and may result in the levy of additional costs or fees for refuse which exceeds our community weight disposal cap.
B. 
Should any household by request exceed the twelve-bag/container limit, the Director may assess an appropriate fee for extra services required.
C. 
Residents may purchase stickers at the Town Hall which can be applied to a disposal bag or item for pickup beyond the twelve-container limit. Said sticker shall be available at a cost of $1 per bag/container.
D. 
Any bags beyond the limit which do not have stickers will not be collected.