Tree waste: City attorney clarifies disposal ordinance

Roadside waste in the City of Franklin must be handled in a very specific way to be picked up by city crews, otherwise the property owner or occupant is responsible for disposal.
If the city picks up waste—which is not household garbage—the city is charging the occupant or owner, Assistant Public Works Director Belva Notto said. She said she also advised Cleco of the city’s policies when the company contracts tree trimming. Councilman Lester Levine had asked for clarification.
Legal Counsel Russel Cremaldi said city code calls for the owner or occupant of a property to dispose of “solid waste” such as tree limbs and logs under certain conditions. Light tree debris must be tied securely in bundles “not exceeding four feet in length, two feet in diameter width, and 75 pounds in weight.”
Cremaldi said under those parameters, the code stipulates that the city will pick up the waste.
He also noted that large items such as logs and stumps are the responsibility of the owner or occupant and must be properly stored if not removed.
The council’s contract with its waste collection service is at odds with city code; the council can rework its own ordinances to bring both inline.
Also Tuesday at Levine’s request, Chief Sabria McGuire said the councilman’s concerns about loud music, particularly with questionable lyrics, were addressed. There are ordinances in place, and a decibel meter can be used if a complaint is made. Obscene language falls under disturbing the peace, she said, and a complaint by a resident can be filed. Parks and public property are alcohol-free zones, she reminded the public. Only the city council can grant a variance for alcohol consumption on public property. The same applies to a noise variance.
City building official Jean Paul Pellerin received council approval for the following property condemnations:
—704 Carl C. Foulcard Drive; 807 Carl C. Foulcard Drive; 615 Ibert St.; and 809 Tenth St. were all turned over to appointed legal counsel Joseph Tabb to continue condemnation proceedings.
—505 Sixth St. was condemned by the city council and the owner given 30 days to comply.
—Owner demolition has begun or will shortly begin at 607 Hamm St.; 1703 Sterling Road; and 405 Calbert St.