The Martinsville City Council and Planning Commission held a joint meeting to discuss proposed changes to the city’s refuse ordinance, including community dumpster placement, service costs, and enforcement measures.
The ordinance, which was introduced in a public hearing after its first reading, received significant public feedback regarding its impact on businesses, accessibility for residents with disabilities, and concerns about sanitation and enforcement. Officials are now refining the proposal to address those concerns before finalizing the plan.
Director of Public Works Greg Maggard provided an overview of the ordinance, including updates to legal penalties, which have been downgraded to a Class 3 misdemeanor. He emphasized that the ordinance is about more than just uptown dumpsters. “It’s more than just the uptown piece, it’s more that will affect the city residents as a whole.”
Maggard presented cost estimates for the program, noting that the current weekly expense is $5,000, with a shortfall of approximately $2,000. He also said that under the proposed plan, no resident or business would need to walk more than half a city block to reach their assigned dumpster.
Council Member Aaron Rawls noted the ordinance would affect fewer than 100 businesses within the five-day collection radius. Many businesses share waste collection accounts due to being located in multi-unit buildings.
“You may have 20 businesses in there, but they don’t have 20 different accounts,” Rawls explained, with Maggard estimating there are approximately 78 individual accounts in the uptown area.
Commission Chairman Joseph Martin echoed concerns raised by residents during the public hearing, including issues related to disability access, pest attraction, overflow, and fairness.
Martin suggested a hybrid approach that would reduce trash pickup from five to three days a week while maintaining strategically placed dumpsters in the uptown area. He also recommended a six-month trial period to assess the effectiveness of the program and allow for adjustments.
Vice Mayor Kathy Lawson asked for clarification. “Is it your recommendation that we do have dumpsters for people who want to use them?” Martin responded that some businesses have expressed support for the dumpster program.
Lawson emphasized the city’s role in supporting businesses.
Rawls raised concerns about the city’s ongoing litter issues, presenting a photo showing cardboard and trash scattered across uptown streets.
“The current trash issue is not a flattering look,” he said, adding that dumpsters would help contain waste and prevent it from being blown around.
Martin acknowledged the concern but noted that windy days would still result in litter escaping from dumpsters and recycling bins.
The discussion also covered challenges in waste collection staffing, with officials noting that it is becoming increasingly difficult to find workers willing to ride on the back of garbage trucks.
Commission member Jonathan Martin suggested that the city should focus on accommodating businesses and residents to ensure compliance. Nelson Evans, another commission member, raised concerns about the impact of the plan on residents with disabilities who may struggle to transport their trash to designated areas.
“I put my trash cans on the sidewalk in front of my house, I can see that being an issue,” Evans said.
Riggs Roberson, vice chairman of the commission, supported a hybrid approach, stating, “I’m never in favor of fewer options.”
Roberson also raised issues with residential waste pickup, citing his own experience with overflowing trash cans and having to use additional contractor bags.
Maggard acknowledged the problem and expressed openness to finding solutions. “You are not alone, there are others that produce a lot.”
Lawson added that overflowing trash is only an issue if left uncollected for several days.
The council and commission also discussed strategies for reducing littering across the city. City Manager Aretha Ferrell-Benavides suggested implementing a trial period with strategically placed dumpsters and exploring options such as validated valet trash services for residents who do not use city waste collection services.
Littering remains a persistent issue in several areas of the city, including Oakdale Street. Rawls voiced frustration over the lack of enforcement. “I think that the only thing that’s unacceptable for me is that you can keep on littering and trashing our community.”
Mayor LC Jones reminded residents that they have the right to file a criminal complaint against littering offenders. However, Rawls said many police officers hesitate to issue citations and called for stronger enforcement of litter laws.
The refuse ordinance remains under review, with city officials working to refine the proposal based on community feedback. A trial period and further adjustments may be implemented before a final decision is made.
