An ordinance to impose a new $5 per month fee for access to curbside trash pick-up will require a second reading after the Flomaton Town Council voted last Wednesday afternoon to approve the ordinance on a 4-2 vote. If an ordinance does not receive a unanimous vote on the first reading, a second reading is required.
At last week's meeting, council members Buster Crapps and Lillian Dean voted no. The council will vote on the ordinance again at its Oct. 14 meeting.
The ordinance presented to the council left residential garbage rates the same at $17.38 per month for one cart, $26.65 per month for two carts and $32.86 for three carts. However, those rates may change after the council opens bids on Oct. 4 for garbage service.
The proposed ordinance would add a $5 per month fee to residents living within the corporate town limits of the town to have access to the trash truck.
The town will pick up yard debris in piles up to 6 feet wide, 6 feet long and 6 feet high free of charge. Residents with piles larger than the 6x6x6 will be charged $25 for the pickup. That charge will be added to the resident's next water bill.
The ordinance also calls for a 3 percent increase in garbage and trash rates annually to cover the cost of inflation.
The council did pass an ordinance that outlines what will and what will not be picked up by the trash truck.
Leaves and grass clippings will need to be placed inside a garbage bag and placed at the curb for pickup. Vegetative debris must also be separated from other trash and pasteboard or cardboard boxes have to be flattened and tied in bundles.
Tree limbs must be no larger than 4 inches in diameter and cut into lengths not exceeding 10 feet. Pickup dates will be on the first and third Tuesday of each month and homeowners must call town hall to be put on a pickup list.
The trash pickup is limited to residents and will not include any debris or trash created by a contractor.
The ordinance also says no household garbage, electronics or items containing hazardous materials will be picked up.
