A clean, wholesome, attractive environment and safe roadways are declared to be of importance to the health and safety of the inhabitants of the Town of Colonie. To this end, pursuant to the New York State Municipal Home Rule Law, Town Law and Environmental Conservation Law, the Town of Colonie deems it appropriate to regulate the collection of solid waste. The Town recognizes the importance of identifying the different solid wastes generated in the Town, where such solid wastes are generated, how they are transported, where they are disposed of and what percentage thereof are recycled for reuse. It is in the public interest to create a solid waste management plan, which plan relies upon accurate information as a basis. Further, the health, safety and welfare of the public is promoted by identifying uninspected and uninsured solid waste collection vehicles, their routes and their methods of operation. Lastly, recycling of discarded solid waste is a concept to be promoted. Yet, without a method of measurement, recycling goals and achievements may be under or overstated. This article seeks to address all of the aforementioned issues while generally promoting a safe and wholesome environment for all.
Any person, firm or corporation engaged in the business of refuse removal within the Town of Colonie and any person, firm or corporation operating within the Town of Colonie who removes solid waste, including, but not limited to recyclable materials, garbage, refuse, demolition materials, bricks, concrete, blacktop, plastics, glass, office paper, cardboard, metals, newspapers, carpeting, junk construction materials, plumbing materials or fixtures, trees, tree stumps, tree trimmings and junk as part of such business activity must first obtain a license therefor from the Town Clerk.
[Amended 11-7-2002 by L.L. No. 19-2002]
The biennial license shall be issued on the basis of the calendar year and shall expire on the 31st day of December of the second year of issue and must be renewed on or before the first day of January of that year. No license shall be issued prior to the submittal and approval of a complete application form for same.
[Amended 11-7-2002 by L.L. No. 19-2002]
A fee for such license shall be charged for each biennial or portion of each biennial to which said license applies. Each such license shall entitle the holder thereof to operate and maintain one motor vehicle or truck in the business of solid waste collection, and an additional biennial fee shall be charged to each licensee for each additional motor vehicle operated and maintained in such business. All such fees shall be established by the Town Board, by resolution, and amended from time to time.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The current fee resolution is on file in the office of the Town Clerk, where it may be examined during regular office hours.
[Amended 11-20-1997 by L.L. No. 9-1997]
The application form for a solid waste collection license shall provide the following:
A. 
The name and address of the applicant and, in the case of any corporation or partnership, the names and addresses of each officer and director or of each partner composing such partnership thereof.
B. 
The name, address and telephone number, both day and evening, of the applicant or person in charge of the business.
C. 
The number of collection vehicles to be operated by the applicant and a description of each such vehicle, including the ownership of the vehicle, the make, year, model of chassis and body type, the cubic capacity or tare weight and color of the vehicle, proof of current insurance coverage and the current New York State registration and inspection numbers and the municipality or municipalities in which the vehicle will operate.
D. 
The type and quantity of solid waste the applicant collected in the geographic bounds of the Town of Colonie during the six preceding months.
E. 
A statement indicating that the applicant is operating in compliance with all statutes, rules and regulations of the New York State Environmental Conservation Law and, if applicable, pursuant to a permit(s) issued by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
F. 
Listing of all facilities, including recycling facilities accepting solid waste collected by the applicant.
G. 
Any other relevant information the Town Clerk or Environmental Services Division Director may require.
Any person, firm or corporation issued a license pursuant to this article shall transport all recyclable material to an approved recycling facility. "Recyclable materials," for purposes of this section, shall be defined as any material accepted at the Town of Colonie Material Recycling Facility, and approval of recycling facilities shall be the responsibility of the Director of Environmental Services. Approvals shall not be unreasonably withheld and shall be pursuant to the rules and regulations promulgated hereunder.
A. 
It shall be a violation, punishable as provided in Subsection B of this section, for any person, firm or corporation to:
(1) 
Fail to obtain a license for solid waste removal as provided for in this article.
(2) 
Fail to file an annual copy of his or her routes as provided in this article.
(3) 
Furnish any false or misleading information in connection with any provision under this article or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
(4) 
Fail to comply with any provisions of this article or any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
B. 
Any person, firm or corporation committing an offense against this article or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder shall be guilty of violation and shall be subject to the following penalties:
(1) 
For a first offense, a mandatory fine not to exceed $500 and a discretionary suspension or revocation of any license, permit or privileges granted under this article or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder.
(2) 
For a second offense, a mandatory suspension for a minimum of 30 days of a license, permit or privileges granted under this article or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder and a discretionary fine not to exceed $1,000.
(3) 
For a third offense, a mandatory revocation for a minimum of one year of all licenses, permits or privileges granted under this article or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder and a discretionary fine not to exceed $2,500.
C. 
In the event of a continuing offense of any section or provision of this article or rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, each day such offense shall continue shall be a separate violation and subject to a separate penalty.
D. 
The Town Attorney may maintain an action or proceeding in a court of competent jurisdiction to compel compliance with this article or any rule or regulation promulgated thereunder notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection B(1), (2) or (3) hereof for a penalty or other punishment.
E. 
Where an offense of this article or rules or regulations promulgated thereunder causes expense to the Town, such offense may also be punished by a civil suit against the offender, brought by the Town Attorney of the Town of Colonie, in the name of the Town, in a court of competent jurisdiction to recover such additional cost.
[Amended 11-20-1997 by L.L. No. 9-1997]
The enforcement of this article and any rules and regulations promulgated thereunder will be the responsibility of the Town of Colonie Police Department, Department of Public Works and such other persons as may be, from time to time, authorized by the Town Board of the Town of Colonie.
If any clause, sentence or provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance shall be adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, the invalidity thereof shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of the provisions of this chapter or the application thereof to other persons and circumstances.