May 22: Weekly Message from Mayor Madden
Weekly Message from Mayor John L. Madden
Monday is Memorial Day, a day to remember those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. It is a day that is traditionally marked by wreaths being laid for those who we lost in service to our country. Middlesex Borough has had a long-standing tradition of our American Legion holding a public service at Victor Crowell Park followed by a parade and refreshments. Unfortunately, due to the CoVid 19 pandemic, there will be no public events scheduled. The American Legion will be honoring those who past privately.
Several weeks ago, when the Borough had its first Coronavirus positive, as you all know, we started requiring that garbage cans not be overflowing with bags and not be heavier than 65 pounds. Our sanitation workers also started putting stickers on cans that are in violation of our garbage ordinance, though we have not been enforcing it.
As I have written several times before, after the Governor lifts the Stay at Home order, the Borough will begin to enforce the ordinance. Residents will be afforded a two-week grace period to comply with the proper size containers with detachable lids. As we are getting closer to the lifting of the restrictions by the Governor, I want to remind everyone about our garbage ordinance which you can find in its entirety at the bottom of our website’s home page under Code Book.
Middlesex Borough has had a garbage ordinance as law since 1947 that has stated “The occupant of any residential building or premises covered by the terms of this article shall place, keep and make readily accessible for collection and removal of garbage, ashes and rubbish placed in plastic bags inside covered receptacles with detachable lids, such as may be specified in rules and regulations to be adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Middlesex pertaining to the subject matter of this article. No loose garbage or debris shall be inside the approved receptacle. Acceptable receptacles are metal or plastic containers with handles and tight-fitting lids weighing less than 65 pounds when filled and 35 gallons in size. The use of individual plastic bags, cardboard boxes, paper bags, crates, drums, pails, or similar containers as receptacles is not permitted. Garbage in these containers will not be collected (Article 1, Section 351.4).
For many years, past elected officials have been reluctant to enforce this law. Following the CoVid 19 crisis, when life resumes and people feel safe to go to home good stores and are re-employed, we are going to enforce the ordinance as written: all garbage must be placed in bags, then in a garbage container that is 35 gallons or less, has a tight-fitting, detachable lid and is not filled beyond 65 pounds in weight.
The purpose of the size restriction is because large cans, when filled, are too heavy and become a physical danger to our sanitation employees. The reason the lids must be detachable is because when cans with attached lids are lifted and dumped, the lids often hit the heads of our DPW workers, occasionally causing injury. For the last few weeks we have been apprised by many residents that there are raccoon and rat issues in various neighborhoods caused by garbage bags left in unlidded cans or on the curb.
We are fully aware that this decision has or will cause a great inconvenience for you and a nuisance for those who have been putting bags curbside for many years or even decades, but please be aware that once the emergency passes, we will be enforcing the existing ordinance, which has been long neglected.
Together, we can keep our town safe and looking beautiful for all to enjoy.
This Week’s Positive Covid-19 numbers
Saturday, May 16: 3
Sunday, May 17: 3
Monday, May 18: 1
Tuesday, May 19: 0
Wednesday, May 20: 3
Thursday, May 21: 0
Friday, May 22: 0
Be well, stay safe, and enjoy the long weekend!