News

By Mary Thurwachter

They were talking trash at the Lantana Town Council meeting on April 13, and it wasn’t the first time. Some residents continue to put yard trimmings curbside on the wrong day and other residents are complaining about the lingering mess.
Earlier this year the town encouraged its trash handler, Republic Services, to distribute fliers outlining the rules. Officials said the problem was largely due to confusion about the proper day, and way, to get rid of palm fronds, coconuts and other tree and bush trimmings.
Republic picks up trimmings on Mondays on the north side of Pine Street and Ocean Avenue, and Tuesdays on the south side of Ocean Avenue. Loose debris, such as coconuts and leaves, needs to be bagged or put in a trash can for pickup.
Since the fliers have been sent and the residents are informed, town officials were hopeful the problem would diminish. But it hasn’t.
Now town code enforcement is cracking down on violators.
“We all got the door hangers and now that we’ve informed everybody, it’s time to enforce it,” council member Tom Deringer said.
Town officials say the fine depends on the specifics and severity of each case and the fine is determined by the special magistrate — it can vary from $25 to $250 a day. Code enforcement officers don’t always issue notices of violation that result in fines, says Town Manager Deborah Manzo. They can issue “friendly reminders,” as well, as the end goal is compliance with the code.
Mayor Dave Stewart said some people had landscapers who were not aware of the rule and that residents would need to educate them. Pickup times have changed in recent years since the town gave up providing its own garbage pickup service and hired Republic.
Bob Fritts, who lives on the south end of Hypoluxo Island, said the trash problem has never been worse.
“I walk my dog every day and I can tell you it’s the same people that do this,” he said. “My advice: Come on Friday and you’ll get more violators and you’ll get more money for the town. … It’s time for code enforcement to do what they need to do.”
Stewart said there were some residents taking matters into their own hands.
“Apparently we have a vigilante out there marking piles (of trash) with paint,” Stewart said. “It’s not the town doing this.”
The town issues reminders or tickets.