Official - No hitches in first day of new trash collection

JACKSON, Mo. -- The first day of a new system aimed at reducing the amount of trash the city collects went smoothly, public works director Rodney Bollinger told the Jackson Board of Aldermen Monday.

"Things went extremely well," he said.

Under the new plan, Jackson residents must place their garbage in trash bags and no longer can use containers, a change aimed at speeding collection.

The city also is limiting residents to three bags. Residents previously could put out an unlimited amount of trash for collection.

"We have accomplished our goal of reducing the volume," said Paul Sander, mayor.

Trash collection in Jackson remains free under the new system.

Four or five times as many people have called him about the new trash collection system as called to weigh in on whether Highway 34/72 should be widened either to four lanes or five lanes, another topic that has generated discussion in Jackson.

Most callers want residents to be able to use either bags or trash cans.

Sander said the Board of Aldermen is divided by just one vote on the issue and could revisit the bags-only policy any time they want.

Most of the callers opposed to putting out bags fear that animals will get into them overnight.

The city advises waiting until the morning to put out trash bags.

The city begins collecting trash at 8 a.m.

City manager Jim Roach said many Jackson residents began adhering to the new policy last month, that made Monday's transition smoother. The city has provided residents with a one-month grace period before the new regulations are strictly enforced.

Other business

In other business, the board approved a three-inch-thick list of amendments to the City Code's land subdivision regulations. The major changes are:

Developers must submit more detailed as-built plans, and the filing fee for preliminary plats has doubled from $50 to $100.

Developers now have the option of using asphalt or concrete on local streets. Previously they were required to use concrete. Collector and arterial streets will continue to be made of concrete only.

A two-year improvement guarantee replaces the previous one-year guarantee.

Sidewalks will not normally be required in new subdivisions. They may be required if the subdivision is near schools.

sblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182