Shafter residents speak against new trash laws

The city recently held a workshop about the new trash collection service and how the new laws are affecting trash pickup.

Due to the SB1383 law, alley service will be stopped and all pickups will be curbside.

This means that it is every resident's responsibility to get containers from their yards to the curb.

In response to the new laws, some residents gathered signatures on a letter that outlines the objections that the residents have. The letter states that a number of residents have homes that are designed for trash service to be rendered in the alleys.

"The original design and functionality of entire neighborhoods will be altered with curbside pickup," Cameron Hunter, manager of Richland Chevrolet, said. "Many homeowners either built or purchased their homes with one of the factors in their decision being the fact that service would be rendered in the alley so that the streets would remain uncluttered and visually more appealing."

The letter states many, if not all of the homes have their garages and storage areas in the back of their house in the alley with no access to be able to move bins to the front of the street other than through their homes.

Hunter said the removal of the alley service is not part of the state mandated law. He said this is a city ordinance that will be enacted, which means that the city has the option to have the alley service or go to total curbside service.

Hunter said there is no extra distance required to be driven to pick up in the alley versus the street and there will be no cars parked and blocking access to the cans in the alley.

"I am being charged for a 300 gallon bin currently. Will I be charged the same or more for a smaller container moving forward?" resident Colleen Diltz asked.

Residents may attend an upcoming Protest Hearing that will be held this spring about the new trash service.