[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Irwin as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Littering — See Ch. 158.
Nuisances — See Ch. 169, Art. I.
Throwing objects in streets — See Ch. 225, Art. I.
[Adopted 6-26-1961 by Ord. No. 6-1961 (Ch. 20, Part 1, of the 1993 Code)]
[Amended 6-11-1997 by Ord. No. 812; 10-10-2001 by Ord. No. 841]
Wherever in this article the following terms are used, they shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:
ACT 97
The Pennsylvania Solid Waste Management Act of 1980, P.L. 380, No. 97, July 7, 1980.[1]
ACT 101
The Pennsylvania Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Waste Reduction Act, SB 528, Act 1988-101, July 1998.[2]
ASHES
The residue from the burning of wood, coal, coke and other combustible materials for the purposes of heating and cooking. It shall not include the cinders produced in steam-generating plants.
BOROUGH
The Borough of Irwin, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.
BULK WASTE
Large items of solid waste, including, but not limited to, appliances, furniture, large auto parts, trees, branches or stumps which may require special handling due to their size, shape or weight.
CONTAINER
A portable device in which waste is held for storage or transportation.
COUNTY
The County of Westmoreland or the Westmoreland County Board of County Commissioners.
DEPARTMENT or DEP
The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)
DISPOSAL
The deposition, injection, dumping, spilling, leaking or placing of solid waste into or on the land or water in a manner that the solid waste enters the environment, is emitted into the air or is discharged to the waters of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
DOMESTIC WASTE or HOUSEHOLD WASTE
Solid waste comprised of garbage and rubbish which normally originates in the residential private household or apartment house.
GARBAGE
Any solid waste derived from animal, mineral, grain, fruit or vegetable matter that is capable of being decomposed by microorganisms with sufficient rapidity to cause nuisances as odors, gases or vectors.
LICENSED HAULER or LICENSED COLLECTOR
Any municipal waste hauler or collector possessing a valid and current county license issued by the Westmoreland County Solid Waste Authority pursuant to the County Ordinance No. 2.
MUNICIPAL WASTE
Any garbage, refuse, industrial lunchroom or office waste and other materials, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material, resulting from operation of residential, municipal, commercial or institutional establishments and from community activities; and any sludge not meeting the definition of residual or hazardous waste under Act 97 from the municipal, commercial or institutional water supply treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, or air pollution control facility. The term does not include source-separated recyclable materials.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, institution, cooperative enterprise, municipal authority, federal government or agency, state institution and agency, or any other legal entity which is recognized by law as the subject or rights and duties. In any provision of this chapter which prescribes a fine, imprisonment or penalty, or any combination of the foregoing, the term "person" shall include the officers and directors of any corporation or other legal entity having officers and directors.
REFUSE
All solid waste materials which are discarded as useless.
RESIDENT PROPERTY OWNER
The person who holds title by virtue of a recorded deed filed in the Recorder of Deeds Office of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and who resides in the subject property and designates the same as his/her primary residence and/or domicile or any person who resides in said household who is 65 years of age or older.
RESIDUAL WASTE
Any garbage, refuse, other discarded material or other waste, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous materials resulting from industrial, mining and agricultural water supply treatment facility, wastewater treatment facility or air pollution control facility, provided that it is not hazardous. The term "residual waste" shall not include coal refuse as defined in the Coal Refuse Disposal Control Act.[3] The term shall not include treatment sludge from coal mine drainage treatment plants, disposal of which is being carried on pursuant to and in compliance with a valid permit issued pursuant to the Act of June 22, 1937, P.L. 1987, No. 394, known as the "Clean Streams Law."[4]
RUBBISH
All nonputrescible municipal waste except garbage and other decomposable matter. This category includes, but is not limited to, ashes, bedding, cardboard, cans, crockery, glass, paper, wood and yard waste.
SOLID WASTE
Any waste, including, but not limited to, municipal, residual or hazardous wastes, including solid, liquid, semisolid or contained gaseous material.
STORAGE
The containment of any waste on a temporary basis in such a manner as not to constitute disposal of such waste. It shall be presumed that the containment of any waste in excess of one year constitutes disposal. This presumption can be overcome by clear and convincing evidence to the contrary.
TENANT
Any person who resides in said residence by virtue of a written lease agreement and who designates the same as his/her primary residence.
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. 6018.101 et seq.
[2]
Editor's Note: See 53 P.S. § 4000.101 et seq.
[3]
Editor's Note: See 52 P.S. § 30.51 et seq.
[4]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 691.1 et seq.
[Amended 7-7-1993 by Ord. No. 791; 6-11-1997 by Ord. No. 812]
A. 
All refuse accumulated in the Borough shall be collected, conveyed and disposed of by an independent contractor, who shall be named from time to time by the Borough of Irwin Council. The cost of such service shall be paid for as provided in the schedule of fees set forth in § 212-5 of this article by the person producing the refuse or responsible for the existence or disposal thereof or for whom such refuse is removed. It shall be unlawful for any person other than the independent contractor named by the Borough to collect, convey over any of the streets or alleys of the Borough, or dispose of any refuse accumulated in the Borough.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I).
B. 
The collection and disposal of refuse in the Borough shall be under the supervision of the Borough Council. The Council shall have the authority to make regulations concerning the days of collection, type and location of waste containers and such other matters pertaining to the collection and disposal as it may deem advisable, and to change and modify the same after notice as required by law, provided that such regulations are not contrary to the provisions hereof. Any aggrieved persons shall have the right of appeal against any regulation made by the Borough Council to said Council, which may confirm, modify or revoke any such regulation.
[Amended 7-7-1993 by Ord. No. 791; 6-11-1997 by Ord. No. 812]
A. 
Preparation of refuse.
(1) 
All garbage before being placed in garbage cans for collection shall have drained from it all free liquids and shall be wrapped in paper or placed in a paper bag.
(2) 
All rubbish shall be drained of liquid before being deposited for collection.
(3) 
All cans and bottles which have contained food shall be thoroughly rinsed and drained before being deposited for collection.
(4) 
Tree trimmings and hedge clippings and yard waste shall be cut to length not to exceed four feet and securely tied in bundles not more than two feet thick before being deposited for collection.
B. 
Refuse containers.
(1) 
Garbage receptacles.
(a) 
Garbage receptacles shall be made of metal or plastic equivalent, must be watertight and be provided with a tight-fitting cover.
(b) 
No person shall use for the reception of garbage, ashes and/or rubbish any receptacle having a capacity of more than 30 gallons.
(c) 
All garbage receptacles shall be kept as sanitary as possible in view of the use to which they are put and shall be thoroughly cleaned by the occupant after garbage is removed by the collector.
(2) 
Refuse receptacles.
(a) 
All refuse receptacles shall be provided by the owner, tenant, lessee or occupant of the premises.
(b) 
All refuse receptacles shall be maintained in good condition. Any receptacle that does not conform to the provisions of this article or that may have ragged or sharp edges or any other defect liable to hamper or injure the person collecting the contents thereof shall be promptly replaced upon notice. Failure to comply may result in refusal to collect or the removal of the defective receptacle as refuse.
C. 
Storing of refuse.
(1) 
No person shall place any refuse in any street, alley or other public place or upon any private property, whether owned by such person or not, within the Borough except it be in proper receptacles for collection or under an express approval granted by the Borough Council. No person shall throw or deposit any refuse in any stream or other body of water or upon the streets or highways within the Borough. All refuse containers shall be placed for storage in a location preferably at the rear of the customer's residence, office or apartment or in another inconspicuous location.
(2) 
Any unauthorized accumulation of refuse on any premises is hereby declared to be a nuisance and is prohibited. Failure to remove any existing accumulation of refuse within 30 days after the effective date of this article shall be deemed a violation of this article.
(3) 
It shall be unlawful for any person, other than the occupants of the premises on which refuse receptacles are stored, or the collector to remove the covers or any of the contents of refuse receptacles.
(4) 
Only garbage generated within the boundaries of the Borough shall be eligible for collection by the designated garbage collector. It is the intent of this section that garbage accumulated or generated outside the boundaries of the Borough and subsequently brought into the Borough for collection shall not be eligible for collection.
D. 
Points of collection. Refuse receptacles shall be placed for collection at ground level on the property, not within the right-of-way of a street or alley, and accessible to and not more than 40 feet from the side of the street or alley from which collection is made, provided that receptacles may be placed for collection at other than ground level and at a distance of more than 40 feet when approved by the Borough Council and an additional payment for the extra service is agreed upon by both parties. Refuse containers shall not be placed for collection more than 12 hours prior to the date and time of actual collection by the Borough refuse collection service. Refuse containers shall be removed from the location of pickup as promptly as possible after pickup, but in no event shall said refuse containers remain at the location of pickup for more than 12 hours after collection by the Borough refuse collection service has been completed.
[Amended 7-7-1993 by Ord. No. 791; 6-11-1997 by Ord. No. 812]
A. 
Frequency of collection.
(1) 
Refuse shall be collected at least once each week.
(2) 
Hotels, restaurants and such other businesses and institutions as deem it necessary may enter into an agreement for a greater frequency of collection. Where necessary to protect the public health, the Borough Manager may require that more frequent collections be made.
B. 
Limitations on quantity.
(1) 
It is the intent of this article that the reasonable accumulation of refuse of each family for the collection period will be collected for the standard charge. The Borough Manager may refuse to collect unreasonable amounts or make an additional charge for such amounts.
(2) 
It is the intention of this article that large restaurants, hotels, apartments and other businesses and institutions shall have their reasonable accumulations of refuse for the collection period collected at a fair charge based upon the average weight or volume. The Borough Manager may refuse to collect unreasonable amounts or may make an additional charge for such amounts.
C. 
Bulky waste. Every household shall be entitled to place outside for collection one large or bulky waste item per month per residential unit; examples of large or bulky items are washers, dryers, refrigerators, hot water tanks, stoves, furniture, or five bags or boxes of cleanup material. All CFC (freon) must first properly by removed and documented in accordance with the EPA before collection.
D. 
Special refuse problems.
(1) 
Contagious disease refuse. The removal of wearing apparel, bedding or other refuse from homes or other places where highly infectious or contagious diseases have prevailed should be performed under the supervision and direction of the responsible local or state agency. Such refuse shall not be placed in containers for regular collections.
(2) 
Inflammable or explosive refuse. Highly inflammable or explosive materials shall not be placed in containers for regular collection but shall be disposed of under the supervision and direction of the responsible local or state agency.
[Amended 6-10-1968 by Ord. No. 3-1968; 3-23-1970 by Ord. No. 10-1970; 4-12-1971 by Ord. No. 4-1971; 12-27-1973 by Ord. No. 9-1973; 12-27-1973 by Ord. No. 10-1973; 12-30-1974 by Ord. No. 11-1974; 5-12-1975 by Ord. No. 617; 1-3-1978 by Ord. No. 674; 7-11-1983 by Ord. No. 715; 4-10-1989 by Ord. No. 766; 7-7-1993 by Ord. No. 791; 6-11-1997 by Ord. No. 812; 10-10-2001 by Ord. No. 841; 12-11-2002 by Ord. No. 852]
A. 
The fees for the collection and disposal of refuse placed for collection at the curb or right-of-way line if no curb exists from which refuse collection is made shall be set by Council by way of resolution.
[Amended 11-12-2014 by Ord. No. 926[1]; 11-11-2015 by Ord. No. 934[2]; 11-9-2016 by Ord. No. 942; 10-31-2017 by Ord. No. 955; 11-27-2018 by Ord. No. 974;[3] 6-10-2020 by Ord. No. 4-2020; 7-14-2021 by Ord. No. 995]
[1]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 10-1-2014.
[2]
Editor’s Note: This ordinance provided an effective date of 1-1-2016.
[3]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided that it would be effective the first day of the fourth quarter of 2017, first affecting the quarterly bill for the fourth quarter of 2018.
B. 
All fees shall be paid quarterly (and shall not be subject to a discount).
C. 
Where the collection of refuse from other than ground level or from more than 40 feet from the side of the street or alley is accepted, the fee shall be set by the Borough Manager and may be amended from time to time by the Borough Council, subject to appeal to the Borough Council.
D. 
All accounts shall be considered delinquent if not paid within 30 days of the billing, and bills shall be made every three months and payable quarter-annually. All delinquent accounts are subject to stoppage of service without notice. If a delinquent account is not paid within 30 days, the Borough Council shall cease all refuse collection for that account unless Borough Council specifically directs otherwise. Service shall be resumed thereafter only on payment of the accumulated fees for the period of collection and the period of noncollection, plus $1, unless Borough Council specifically directs otherwise. The stoppage of services hereinbefore authorized for nonpayment of collection charges shall be in addition to the right of the Borough to proceed for collection of such unpaid charges by an action in assumpsit or, at the election of the Borough, in any other manner provided by or for the collection of a municipal claim.
E. 
All commercial and residential accounts shall incur a penalty of 10%, which shall be added to the unpaid balance if the entire quarterly garbage bill is not paid within 30 days of the billing date.
F. 
Any resident may qualify for a five-percent discount if the total sum due for the year is paid by April 30 of that year.
[Amended 5-12-1975 by Ord. No. 617; 7-7-1993 by Ord. No. 791]
Any person who shall violate any provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $600 and costs and, in default of payment thereof, shall be subject to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days. Each day that a violation of this article continues shall constitute a separate offense.
[Added 3-12-1979 by Ord. No. 685]
A. 
The owner of the property which receives the garbage service shall be primarily responsible and liable for the payment of all garbage collection and disposal service fees, regardless of whether the garbage service was requested by the property owner or tenant of the property receiving the garbage service.
B. 
If any delinquency in the garbage collection and disposal account for a particular piece of property exists, even if due to previous owner or tenant, the garbage collection and disposal service will not be provided to that property until the delinquency has been paid by the present property owner.
C. 
Before garbage collection and disposal service can be provided to a tenant of property not receiving said service before the passage of this article, all owners of said property to receive said service must execute a letter of obligation indicating his/her/their promise to be primarily responsible for the garbage collection and disposal fee.
[Added 7-12-1982 by Ord. No. 707; 6-11-1997 by Ord. No. 812]
It is the Borough's right to designate a sole and exclusive collector to collect, convey and dispose of garbage, ashes, rubbish and refuse from properties within the municipal limits of the Borough.
[Adopted 7-10-2013 by Ord. No. 918]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
REFUSE DUMPSTER or DUMPSTER
Any portable container used or designed for collection of, transportation of, or disposal of refuse, waste, construction/demolition materials, or the like. "Refuse dumpster" shall include, but not be limited to, roll-off boxes or containers, collection bins, tubs and portable storage containers.
The person/resident renting the dumpster must first obtain a permit from the Borough of Irwin. No person shall place or cause to be placed any dumpster or other type of trash receptacle in the right-of-way of any Borough street except upon having obtained a dumpster permit to be issued by the Borough of Irwin.
A. 
Dumpsters shall be well-maintained and in good working condition, displaying the name or logo and telephone number of the owner of the dumpster, and be suitably supported at each contact point to prevent damage to paved surfaces.
B. 
Dumpsters must be covered when materials inside are easily airborne, pose a hazard, emit an odor or are otherwise offensive.
C. 
Debris must be placed inside the dumpster, not alongside or on top of it.
D. 
All dumpsters are required to be emptied when full. For the purpose of this article, "full" is defined as when the contents of the dumpster reach an average level of one foot below the top edge of the dumpster sides. Any dumpster which has reached "full" status and is not emptied within seven calendar days shall be considered in violation of this article.
E. 
Cleaning dumpsters on the street or sidewalk is not permitted.
A. 
A dumpster placed in the public right-of-way must have a flasher or reflector on the outside corner facing traffic at all times. Where traffic may approach from either side, the dumpster must have a flasher or reflector on the outside corner of both sides. Type I or Type II barricades can be used as an alternate to flashers or reflectors.
B. 
Dumpsters shall not block a public sidewalk or be placed in a location that restricts the sight lines of an intersection. "Sight lines" will be determined by the Public Works Supervisor or the Police Department.
C. 
Dumpsters placed in the public right-of-way for construction, remodeling or demolition projects shall be removed immediately upon the completion of the project. No dumpster shall be placed in the public right-of-way for more than 90 days. An extension of the ninety-day rule may be allowed with written permission and at the sole discretion of the Borough of Irwin.
D. 
No dumpster shall be placed on streets, sides of streets or areas designated as "no parking." Dumpsters shall not be placed in public parking lots or parks without prior written permission from the Borough of Irwin.
E. 
The owner and/or user of a dumpster on a public right-of-way is/are responsible for any public property, street, curb and gutter, or public infrastructure damage.
F. 
No dumpster shall be placed in the public right-of-way during the winter snow season, defined for the purpose of this article as the period from November 1 to the next following April 1.
A. 
The Borough of Irwin may deny the use of a dumpster in the public right-of-way if the dumpster is too wide to allow public safety vehicles through or due to any other traffic concerns.
B. 
The Borough of Irwin may also deny the use of dumpsters to protect public health or safety concerns.
Any violation of this article is a misdemeanor.
A. 
The Borough of Irwin may remove or have a container removed from the public right-of-way if the container is in violation of this article.
B. 
The owner of the container or, if the owner cannot be determined, the person placing it in the public right-of-way shall pay all costs, fees, penalties and other expenses incurred by the Borough of Irwin in removal, storage fees and disposal of any container and its contents.
C. 
If the container is not claimed within 30 days by its owner or the person responsible for placing it in the public right-of-way it may be disposed of as abandoned property, but disposal shall not diminish the responsibility of the owner or the person responsible for placing the container in the public right-of-way to pay all amounts due.
D. 
The Borough of Irwin shall not release a container from storage until all amounts due under this section have been paid.