City cracking down on code enforcement

The City of Alpine Code Enforcement office is on a mission to remind residents of the importance of proper waste disposal.

Officer Kelley McAllister said Monday that most trash items can be placed in dumpsters.

Tires, batteries, oil, dirt, rock and appliances containing freon are included on the list of things that cannot be put in city dumpsters.

Appliances that do contain freon, including refrigerators, should be taken to the landfill at no charge. However, the freon must be removed and certified by a licensed air conditioning firm. If the freon is not removed, a $50 charge is assessed.

Other large appliances, such as stoves or microwaves, and furniture, including mattresses, should be stacked neatly next to the dumpster, not in it or in front of it, said McAllister. The city should then be notified by calling 837-3301.

The Family Crisis Center of the Big Bend also accepts good used furniture for needy families by calling 837-7254.

"That's a good resource," she said. "People forget about that."

Tires cannot be placed in the dumpster or taken to the landfill.

"We're working to find a way to get rid of tires," said McAllister. "It's a matter of getting somebody out here. Maybe we can get a grant, but right now, they need to keep them."

Officer McAllister is fearful of the possibility that kids playing around a refrigerator left as trash will get locked inside. "It has happened before," she said. "Those refrigerators scare me to death."

It is illegal to place used motor oil into or nearby the dumpsters. The city provides free oil recycling at the maintenance yard at 709 S. 9th Street Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Junked vehicles are also a violation of city code.

"We'll take the really, really bad ones and tow them to our lot," said McAllister. "We can seize them if people won't work with us, but most people just don't know what to do with them."

Recent rains have caused high grass and weeds around yards, and in vacant lots and alleys.

"We really want people to mow. It's dangerous-our kids walk through these fields on their way home from school," she said. "High weeds don't cause the snakes, you just can't see the snakes."

If you witness or have information about illegal dumping, record a license plate number, or, if it's a contractor, a company name, and call the police department at 837-3486 or the city at 837-3301.

McAllister said they will be cited.

"I can and will issue them a ticket," said McAllister. "People need to realize that they pay for those dumpsters. That comes out of their money."

Those outside of the city limits can use the dumpsters for a monthly fee.

The landfill operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

For more information, call 837-3301 or e-mail codeenforcement@ci.alpine.tx.us.

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