State representatives, including the North End’s Aaron Michlewitz, are proposing an “emergency law” whereas municipalities (i.e., City of Boston) would be allowed to regulate commercial/private trash pickup, including businesses, restaurants and cafes. A hearing on the State legislation is scheduled for October 18, 2011 at 10 a.m. at the State House, Room A-1.
City Councilor At-Large Felix G. Arroyo, the North End’s Councilor Sal LaMattina and Back Bay’s Councilor Michael Ross have also introduced a home-rule petition to give the City of Boston authority to regulate commercial trash-collection timing.
In the North End and downtown Boston, most commercial trash is picked up by private contractors between midnight and 6 a.m. The measure to stop nighttime pickup is in response to resident complaints regarding the noise of commercial garbage trucks in the middle of the night. The City of Boston is considering an ordinance that would disallow commercial trash pickups at night, but rather have them during the day.
Concerns of the proposal include the congestion, unsightliness and expense of picking up commercial trash during the day. Daytime pickups may be challenging when compounded by simultaneous residential trash pickups.
The public can testify or submit written comments at the October 18th State hearing, State House, Room A-1. The contact in Rep. Michlewitz’s office is Blake Webber, blake.webber@mahouse.gov.
