The Lavallette Public Works yard and water tower, March 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)
Lavallette, faced with the prospect of becoming a victim of its own commercial success as the borough’s business community booms, is proposing to go forward with a plan to require some business owners to pay for private garbage hauling during the summer season – however an ordinance introduced Monday night only places the requirement on one type of business.
The ordinance had been proposed for introduction two weeks ago, but was rescinded from the agenda after officials said they wanted to have further discussions with residents and business owners.
“There were several comments from the public including the members of the Lavallette Business Association,” said Mayor Walter LaCicero. “We took those comments to heart.”
Borough Attorney William Burns said that the new version of the ordinance, introduced after a 4-2 vote Monday night, will only apply to commercial food establishments rather than all commercial properties.
“This ordinance is similar to the one introduced a while back, but it is only for those retail food establishments,” he explained.
The borough will continue to provide recycling pickups to retail food establishments.
The new policy will be in effect from May 1 through Sept. 30 each year, though it will not go into effect until May 15 this year in order to provide businesses time to hire private haulers. LaCicero said some businesses were considering partnering up on hauling contracts.
Borough officials – especially since “al fresco” dining became popular during the pandemic era – have seen the workload from picking up refuse from restaurants rise to new heights. There are more eateries and more tables than ever before, with council members having said some businesses were requiring pickups five days per week, which in some cases was still insufficient. Complicating matters is that weekend hours at the Ocean County Landfill are cut back, sometimes requiring the garbage to remain in the truck’s compactor overnight. Both manpower and vehicle limitations led to the decision.
The Lavallette Public Works yard and water tower, March 2024. (Photo: Shorebeat)
Not all council members were in favor of the policy, holding that there may not be enough time for some businesses to implement it since it requires a public hearing and second vote before final passage at a future meeting. Council David Finter said he envisioned a policy wherein businesses would still receive the traditional two pickups per week like all residents. Council President Anita Zalom said she was concerned over too many garbage trucks, all on their own schedules, operating in town at one time.
“There are only two companies servicing the town now,” said Councilwoman Joanne Filippone, who also suggested holding off on enforcing the ordinance until May 15 this year.
“I’m suggesting maybe we alter that just a little bit until May 15, because this will become effective, if we pass it, April 1,
she said. “That gives these businesses less than a month to get this all together.”
The ordinance passed in a 4-2 vote, with Zalom and Finter dissenting. The public hearing and second vote is scheduled for the April 1 council meeting.
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