VENTNOR After the internet blew up last week with Facebook comments and memes that were often critical, some supportive of the new trash and recycling containers delivered to all residences, the Ventnor City Democratic Club saw the issue as a teaching moment.
The organization will be hosting a public town hall meeting 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 18 at the Ventnor City Community Center at the rear of the library building, 6500 Atlantic Ave. to discuss the issue. It is not a political event and all members of the community are invited to attend.
Facebook posters said the trash containers were too big, didn't fit in their backyards or took up too much room in their garages. Someone even photoshopped that infamous government shutdown photo of former Gov. Chris Christie sitting in a beach chair atop one of the containers.
At Thursday's Board of Commissioners meeting, an elderly resident complained that the buckets were too large for her and her husband to handle.
"The garbage can is too heavy and I'm too old," the octogenarian said.
She said the city should have informed residents in advance and given them the choice of accepting a smaller bucket.
Commissioner Lance Landgraf said other residents have contacted the city with the same concerns.
"We talked about a reduced size, but it's not going to be right away," he said. "So we ask you to bear with us for a little while."
Although the 95-gallon toters were purchased at taxpayers' expense, increases in recycling rates and elimination of collection for commercial properties will reduce the city's out of pocket costs, according to Administrator Maria Mento.
A recently signed multi-year trash and recycling collection contract with the Atlantic County Utilities Authority includes the cost of the carts. A partial grant secured by the ACUA reduced the cost by $7 per cart, with the remaining $38.76 per cart paid for as part of the ACUA's seven-year contract.
ACUA President Richard Dovey will attend the town hall to discuss the 95-gallon trash and recycling containers and the ACUA's efforts to reduce trash and increase the city's recycling rate, which effects not only the environment but the municipal budget.
Because they have lids, official hope they will prevent seagulls from getting into the trash and eliminate blowing refuse on windy days. They will also protect the fragile marine environment where the blowing trash litters the shoreline.
Dovey will speak about what is fueling the recent changes in recycling regulations. Residents will also have a chance to ask questions about what items should be placed in the recycling bins, why the blule cans have burgundy lids and address any concerns or issues they might be facing.
See the Ventnor Democratic Club on Facebook for more information.
