Scotch Plains Announces Details of Bulky Waste Program, Discusses Changes to Landscaping Rules

The "bulky waste" clean-up program in the township of Scotch Plains is scheduled to begin on Monday June 7, the council announced Tuesday night.

The permit fee will be $94 this year, which is a rise from the $65 charged last year. But Mayor Nancy Malool noted Tuesday that last year the fee was offset by the township's award of a Clean Communities Grant. Without the grant last year, the fee would've been $87. The township has not received that grant thus far in 2010.

"It looks like a substantial increase, but it's not," Malool said.

The township will also begin its curbside yard waste collection program soon.

Leaves, limbs, brush and gumballs can be placed at the curb beginning on Friday, April 16. Collection will begin April 26.

For additional information on the bulk waste or yard waste program, residents are advised to contact the Department of Public Property at 908-322-6700 ext. 243 or 244.

The council also on Tuesday briefly revisited a proposal to change the ordinance for landscapers in the township. It was recently proposed that commercial landscapers should be required to have a permit to do their work, and that they should only be allowed to operate during certain hours.

But the mayor noted Tuesday that that proposal was unfair since it would be regulating when landscapers could use lawn mowers, blowers, etc., but not when homeowners could.

Concerns were also raised about requiring landscapers to post a certain bid, which some said favors the larger providers and would hurt the smaller landscaping businesses in town.

The question also remains who would be responsible for enforcing the rule. Currently, police officers are the only ones working 24/7 who would be out to spot violations.

Council members also discussed the issue of having landscapers abide by the township's rules of when certain yard waste can be placed at the end of the road for pickup.

The mayor said she felt it was the homeowner's responsibility to make sure their landscaper is aware of the rules and that they should encourage them to sign up for the township's e-mail notifications about such matters.

The council will revisit the proposed landscaping changes after consulting further with the township attorney.