| Author | Message | ||
     mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 1083 Registered: 10-2004 |
Would someone please repeat who is responsible for downtown trash pickup on weekends? I was at the Bank of America Saturday afternoon, the trash receptacles from Sloan to Vose were filled over the top and lovely trash blowing up and down the sidewalk. Is this the town's responsibility? Did they have Good Friday off? Are the merchants supposed handle the trash? Daily? Weekends? Most of it seemed to be food wrappers, plus one detergent bottle (??). The gentleman waiting at the bank with me said it looked more like Orange or East Orange, and I'm afraid he was right. How can this be handled so the town stays presentable, esp. if we're trying to attract visitors to restaurants & SOPAC? | ||
| Howard Citizen Username: Conehead Post Number: 23 Registered: 4-2004 |
Just to keep the record straight, I personally emptied the trash can in front of Cold Stone on Saturday around 2pm before it was full. | ||
| mjc Citizen Username: Mjc Post Number: 1084 Registered: 10-2004 |
Bless you, Howard. I should have done the same by the bank. Are there plastic bags already in the receptacles, or would I need to bring something? edited to add: Oh! THAT Howard. Thanks Howard! I was thinking you were a good Samaritan re: the trash, but I see instead you're a good neighbor merchant.  Also, I should have said, the trash was on SO Ave between Sloan and Vose, not on Sloan. | ||
| Old and Gray Citizen Username: Pastmyprime Post Number: 331 Registered: 2-2005 |
Well, aren't we one of the "Oranges"? Its been hashed out several times on this board...Correct me if I am wrong Mr. Rosner but the businesses are responsible for the trash cans! DPW does empty the cans twice a day when they are working. | ||
| Pizzaz Supporter Username: Pizzaz Post Number: 3486 Registered: 11-2001  |
I think the west side of the tracks on South Orange Avenue is kept the cleanest in all the town...  | ||
| michael brant Citizen Username: Mbrant Post Number: 197 Registered: 10-2005 |
The amount of garbage on the street is disgusting. I saw empty ice cream cups, starbucks cups, napkins blowing allover. It is very nice that Howard empty's the garbage outside The cold stone....I assume he works there but why doesn't he or the people from starbucks clean the garbage that is left all around the area from their businesses? It is very clear by the trash left behind which businesses are the root of the mess. Cold stone, Starbucks, Cait and Abbey and Dunkin Donuts. Personally I think the town should remove the cans that are in the area and make it the responsibility of the businesses that create the trash to supply receptacles for the trash. | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 646 Registered: 7-2005  |
Isn't also the responsibility of people not to be disgusting menaces and litter?  | ||
| Mayor McCheese Supporter Username: Mayor_mccheese Post Number: 1163 Registered: 7-2004  |
Or the town could add a trash can or two. | ||
| composerjohn Citizen Username: Composerjohn Post Number: 836 Registered: 8-2004  |
Glock is exactly right! Yes, South Orange might benefit by adding a few more trash cans. But we cannot blame the town for inconsiderate people who litter and don't care. | ||
| Sean Flood Citizen Username: Campus_sub_shop Post Number: 144 Registered: 6-2005 |
Having had a trash receptacle in front of my strorefront in SO, I'd have to side with the DPW on this issue. They were real good about pick ups and maintenance. Yeah, sometimes the trash became too full but that was "one off". In those instances we would empty the cans ourselves and use our own dumpster. Really didn't mind doing it because it kept the area around the store clean. I found the biggest problems with public cans were from non-customers. The cans were set up to handle a certain amount of foot traffic but cars would stop and unload everything -often times disgusting stuff like used diapers. Then they would speed off like it was no problem. If we could get a plate number, the SOPD would be helpful. Another problem would be recyclables. Because people do not want to take an extra moment to separate trash, they would simply find a public can –thus going unnoticed. | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 2898 Registered: 5-2004  |
"...but cars would stop and unload everything -often times disgusting stuff like used diapers. Then they would speed off like it was no problem. If we could get a plate number, the SOPD would be helpful." I'm wondering. Is it illegal to put trash from your car into a municipal receptacle? What exactly would SOPD do about this? I don't mean people who take their housshold trash and dump it into the cans. I mean someone who has a small shopping bag of trash, Is that really not legal? | ||
| Josh Holtz Citizen Username: Jholtz Post Number: 411 Registered: 4-2004 |
The problem I have is with laziness ... those people who are unwilling to walk an extra 50 ft. to an empty can to throw their trash away. Instead they put their dunkin donuts empty coffee cup on that overstuffed garbage can like it's a game of Jenga. | ||
| Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 3760 Registered: 5-2001  |
It's perfectly legal. That was just Sean whining obliquely about why he doesn't wanna open up another place here in S.O.. -s. | ||
| Sean Flood Citizen Username: Campus_sub_shop Post Number: 145 Registered: 6-2005 |
Soda, Try for once to see how small of a person you really are. I checked it out. You have an opinion on every issue on this board. No matter what it is, you have a b*llshit opinion. What a lonely existence you must really have. Sitting in front of that screen all day, posting negative comments, hoping someone will notice you and think you matter? Face it. You're a lonely person who has amounted to a cry-baby. It must feel awful when you look in the mirror and see such a pitiful excistence. Whaaaaaaaaaa! | ||
| FlyingSpaghettiMonst Citizen Username: Noodlyappendage Post Number: 62 Registered: 11-2005 |
So Sean, is IT legal? | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 657 Registered: 7-2005 |
Noodlyappendage... hehehe wtf^^ wit dat | ||
| Old and Gray Citizen Username: Pastmyprime Post Number: 332 Registered: 2-2005 |
Why not do like everyone does with their white castle, tie it off and leave it on the ground...I seem more discarded White castle then any other piece of trash around town. | ||
| Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 3762 Registered: 5-2001 |
Ouch? -s. BTW: You never said I was wrong, didja, Mr. Flood? | ||
| Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 3763 Registered: 5-2001 |
Oh, and am I crazy, Sean, or was that a personal attack??? Gee... you're so touchy... Not to worry, though. I'm not at all put out... your opinions carry no weight with me, so I nearly missed it. s. BTW: Better luck with post # 146... | ||
| Howard Levison Citizen Username: Levisonh Post Number: 557 Registered: 1-2004  |
Don't worry there is a solution about to happen - Trustee Jennings is about to propose a SID/BID (albeit a Business Tax) in part to cover the cost of keeping the Downtown clean. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 3897 Registered: 5-2001  |
Jennings? I thought the SID was Moore-Abrams pet project? | ||
| Sean Flood Citizen Username: Campus_sub_shop Post Number: 146 Registered: 6-2005 |
Soda, The discussion was about problems with garbage downtown. Somehow you chose to slight me. I see you were also kind enough to poke fun at a family looking for their lost cat in another post. I'm sure it helped soothe their fears. 3,763 lonely posts. Whaaaaaaaaaaa! | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 3902 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sean,  | ||
| michael brant Citizen Username: Mbrant Post Number: 198 Registered: 10-2005 |
Howard the issue is not a sid the issue is there are several businesses that create all the trash. Why should the frame shop or the dry cleaners be responsible for cleaning up the coldstone or the starbucks trash? I have yet to see hangars or frames littering the street. It is an issue of disgusting people who feel they are entitled to leave their garbage on the street. They should be ticketed for littering. I guarantee you once police hand out tickets it will stop. And when you look around it is mainly concentrated on Sloan Street. Remnants of Starbucks, Cait and Abbey, Coldstone and Dunkin Doughnuts are what is seen. WE MUST FIX THE PROBLEM FIRST. Before you tax business owners. Typical solution in South Orange. The government fails so take it out on tax payers. | ||
| michael brant Citizen Username: Mbrant Post Number: 199 Registered: 10-2005 |
Howard, Trustee Jennings does not know the first thing about running a town. If we are trying to attract new businesses to town the last thing they need to hear is there is a SID in place. How sick is it that people like Beifus and Syiad are allowed to create a mess of the town and we do absolutely nothing about it BUT we are planning to tax local mom and pops to keep the trash off the street because the town cannot figure out how to do it! It is simple enforce the DO NOT LITTER law! | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2735 Registered: 4-2002 |
I raised this issue at the last trustee meeting (and not the first time this has been discussed at a BOT meeting). The village is responsible for emptying village trash cans. Having said that we can place them where we want. We have specifically told businesses that tend to generate more garbage that if they do not empty the pails, we will move them elsewhere. I would think if I had a business, I would make sure the the pail was kept empty. Howard: Thanks for emptying, but I also notice you do not have your own garbage pail outside for customers. Surely you realize your business (cold stone) generates far more garbage than many others and it only makes sense for you to empty the town pail. Same can be said for any other business that generates a lot of garbage (starbucks, Cait & Abby's, Dunkin Donuts, etc). It is illegal to dump bags of trash in village garbage cans. I am not sure a Sid/BID/DMC will solve the problem. It could provide more funding but not sure if the majority of business owners want to contribute to funding clean-up problems caused by a few stores. Personally, I think every business owner should be responsible for maintaining the property in front of their business AND FOR ANY GARBAGE THEIR BUSINESS GENERATES IN THE IMMEDIATE AREA. For example, I often see empty starbucks or dunkin donut coffee cups in the parking lots. Those stores should send employees over there to pick up their garbage. I know McDonald's has a company policy that requires each local franchise to contribute to keeping the area clean (using an employee). I don't know of any municipality that is expected to clean-up for a business. We should also have better litter enforcement and I have said it more than once that we should give tickets to those who litter (including those who toss cigarette butts on the ground). | ||
| Rastro Citizen Username: Rastro Post Number: 2910 Registered: 5-2004 |
Mark, not to pick nits, but define "bags of trash." Can I drop in a shoprite bag of trash from my car? Can I drop in the McDonald's bag of trash? Can I drop in a bag filled with trash from Cait & Abbey's? I know I can't drop in my household garbage bag, but beyond that, where is the line? another incredibly important and worthwhile post by me, I know... | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2736 Registered: 4-2002 |
Rastro: You can not dump household garbage. We should probably ammend the ordinance and add you can not dump any garbage from stores that are not in S. Orange. Of course, enforcement is the real issue. Unless you leave something with your name in the bag.... Well, you get the idea. I do know one person who was caught but I think this has been more of a problem for any business that has a dumpster (especially one that is easy to get to and make a quick deposit). | ||
| Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 3766 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sean:  Please note: It's a "thumbs up" sign, indicating my pleasure at a positive outcome. ...And, though I'll wager that you're no Latin scholar, it's pretty common knowledge that "Pax vu biscum" roughly translates to "Peace be with you." http://www.southorangevillage.com/forum/ -s. BTW: When are you opening in South Orange? I can't wait... Oh, and Mark: Thanks for setting me straight on the legal niceties.  | ||
| SoOrLady Citizen Username: Soorlady Post Number: 3249 Registered: 9-2003 |
Mark - I'm tagging onto this tread since it is garbage-realated. At a BOT meeting a few weeks back, VP Calabrese said that the dumpsters (which belong to several Sloan Street businesses)currently on the sidewalk by the Blue Moon would be moved at the end of the week. I realize he didn't say WHICH week - but they're still there. When you get a chance, please find out why they're still there. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2738 Registered: 4-2002 |
I asked at the meeting last week. Originally, they were supposed to be moved by March 31st. They were waiting for SOPAC to finish up some construcion work at the end of the driveway. It was not completed and the contractor said it might be another 2 - 3 weeks. It was pointed out that instead of dumpsters, the businessowners could put their garbage bags out (on sloan street) and leave out for the morning pick-up. What I can not explain is why they don't keep the lids closed and the dumpsters pushed close to the wall. | ||
| michael brant Citizen Username: Mbrant Post Number: 200 Registered: 10-2005 |
SoOrLady so right you are They are disgusting. I doubt Short Hills would allow garbage dumpster's to be on the main sidewalk in town. Again another sign that John Gross has no standards. And Mr. Rosner you are correct the businesses that create the garbage should clean up the garbage! It is just good business not to have garbage as bad advertising. The owner of Cold Stone should send their employees to pick the garbage that is left behind by his customers. And again Mr. Rosner you are correct. It should not be the town that supplies garbage cans for Cold Stone, Starbucks, Cait and Abbey and Dunkin Donuts. However Cait and Abby and starbucks do have containers outside their businesses. Cold Stone does not. The volume of customers for these businesses is huge. And they should supply their own garbage cans and empty them as needed. | ||
| Sean Flood Citizen Username: Campus_sub_shop Post Number: 148 Registered: 6-2005 |
I think the problem lies in why the trash receptacles are place. I assumed the one in front of my store was placed for shopper convenience. The major issue were large bags of garbage left behind (sometimes on the sidewalk when there was no longer room). Not "Hefty" bags but rather kitchen-sized bags. The can was placed in front of my store but was intended for all of the stores in our “strip”. Yeah we had to sweep up lottery tickets or paper plates from other businesses but the other choice was to allow it to accumulate and make the area look ugly. I don't think it would hurt if someone emptied (for example) a McDonalds bag out while parking their car. Let just hope that residents (or non-residents) are simply courteous. I guess it would bother a business owner who often had to clean garbage totally not related to their business –like a frame shop per se….but are the cans normally situated in front of those stores? | ||
| michael brant Citizen Username: Mbrant Post Number: 201 Registered: 10-2005 |
Sean a SID is a tax on businesseses. The money for the SID is in this case I assume is going to be used to hire people to sweep and maintain the appearance of the town as it relates to garbage. Unless if MR. Calabrese decides to use the SID money to buy a piece of art for the town. | ||
| Sean Flood Citizen Username: Campus_sub_shop Post Number: 149 Registered: 6-2005 |
(tounge in cheek) What piece of art are you refering to MB????? Can the town really reallocate the funds or do they have some type of public disclosure statement? Is there a way to fudge it? Like I said previous, the guys from the DPW who maintained our cans were good. We only ran into problems when people unloaded (what looked like) household trash and "ran". One thing that always perplexed me were the people who thought coming close to the trash can -counted as IN the can???!! They would sorta make an effort to walk close to the can but look away and tossed stuff on the ground (in the general direction). Is the problem worse in certain areas? | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2739 Registered: 4-2002 |
Sean: The problem with Starbucks and cold stone is that many of their customers go outside and eat/drink their products while sitting on the wall. Plus very often ice cream falls from the cone to the sidewalk. I can't see how it is fair to make the owners of the dry cleaners, Urban Femme or Remax to clean up a mess made by customers of the cold stone creamery or Starbucks. They need to take responsibility and clean up any mess made by their customers. Empty the pails, clean the sidewalks and help maintain an environment that welcomes customers. As far as the placement, yes they were put where it was felt the most trash would be generated. Common sense would tell a business owner to keep them empty. I do notice that some business owners do manage to do a better job than others on this front. I have seen the owner of bunny's out front sweeping and picking up garbage more than once. I even saw the old owner of the Blue Moon sweeping up garbage (and he seemed to be able to take the broom well past his borders). It is rare to see someone step out of Starbucks and do anything other than sweep right in front of their store, yet you see their cups all over sloan street. | ||
| MHD Citizen Username: Mayhewdrive Post Number: 3904 Registered: 5-2001 |
Sean, You mean like HIDING an expenditure for $250,000 for a statue under "street, sidewalk & roadway improvements", then LYING to the public saying the money was coming from a GRANT? I can't imagine anyone could possibly be so unethical & corrupt, could you? | ||
| Glock 17 Citizen Username: Glock17 Post Number: 674 Registered: 7-2005 |
That's the difference between small business and corporate force. | ||
| mrosner Citizen Username: Mrosner Post Number: 2740 Registered: 4-2002 |
With a SID, the SID board makes their own decisions on their budget and how the money is allocated. At least 50% of the board will be business/property owners. | ||
| Sean Flood Citizen Username: Campus_sub_shop Post Number: 150 Registered: 6-2005 |
MRosner, I agree with your assessment. I guess it's a catch 22. There are some desirable "corporate" businesses that would do well and add to SO. I have seen postings for Paneara Bread, William Sonoma, The Gap ....but it seems to be suggested that they do not have as much emotionally invested in their location (as opposed to -let's say, a Bunny's or other privately owned merchant). Is there a way for SO to negotiate cleanliness BEFORE they come to town or is that left entirely to the building owner? Can the town fine the building owner if their tenant (or tenant’s clientele) abuse the area? I have seen people ask for a Burger King, McDonalds, 7-11 before. I just don't see them mending with the fiber of South Orange's "Main Street America" theme. There is so much potential that depends on proper redevelopment. I think smaller, privately owned and operated bistros, cafes, antique, candle, flower, etc... would be ideal but the capital investment is just too much to risk for a small business owner -especially if the "Coming Soon" signs are as old (or older) as some of their children. Maybe it's a "build it and they will come" situation where potential merchants want to see action -not promises? Otherwise, it's more fly-by-night operations (with high turn over) or potentially larger corporate-owned businesses. MHD, I think hiding art funding under those categories should be illegal too. And yes, unfortunately, I think people are capable of doing it. Why not put it to a vote? Set up some booths at the Baird Community Center and let the people decide? Heck, let them decide which company should develop THEIR town. After all, it’s their dime. |
