Revere Housing Authority director pledges to curb trash ordinance confusion

REVERE – Director of the Revere Housing Authority Linda Shaw said she will work more efficiently with the city council on the new trash ordinance now that she understands the ordinance better.The new trash ordinance, that went into effect at the beginning of this year, was to help with the growing rodent problem the city is facing.?I have been working with you guys for six years now and I have always been responsive to everything you say,” Shaw said at Monday night?s council meeting. “I?m not going to stop now.”In the few weeks the ordinance has been in effect there has been confusion. The ordinance states that trash has to be stored in a barrel with a cover or in a rodent proof bag. If a resident doesn?t comply, fines may be levied starting at $25 and up to $250.However, Shaw was under the impression that residents needed both a barrel and the rodent proof bags, and told her residents as such in a letter. Revere Housing Authority owns 899 units.?I received a lot of letters and phone calls from residents saying they can?t afford both,” Shaw said. “Now that I understand this, I will let them all know that is not the case.”While there has been some confusion surrounding the ordinance, Director of Inspectional Services Nicholas Catinazzo said he has seen improvement in the community.?It has been going well,” he said. “We have written a lot of tickets to people.”?I have seen a distinct difference in one week,” Shaw added.Catinazzo suggested that the city handle those who don?t comply with the ordinance like the city of Malden does. In Malden, if one doesn?t use the specified trash bag then their trash bag is not picked up.?That way inspectional services has a better chance to find out who is not complying and fine them,” Catinazzo said. “Fining everyone will get people to comply. People don?t like that.”Ward 4 Councilor Stephen Reardon said he would like to hear more public input when it comes to ordinances like these. “I hear people saying I didn?t know about this or whatever. We have public hearings because we want to hear from people,” Reardon said. “Come down and comment. We want an ordinance to fit everyone.”A copy of the new ordinance will be sent with the next water bill to property owners. Ward 5 Councilor John Powers suggested to Shaw that she make a copy of the ordinance and send it to all her residents.?It goes a long way to letting people know what is expected,” Powers said.Sara Brown can be reached at [email protected].