Councilor Long: Support on council to fine landlords if tenants don't comply with PAYT

Long is chairman of the committee and has been a vocal proponent of fining the landlords, saying that the property owner is always held responsible for issues in other city ordinances.

FALL RIVER — The City Council Committee on Ordinances will meet Tuesday with an anticipated debate on how to improve compliance of the pay-as-you-throw program.

Particularly changing an ordinance that would fine the owners of properties whose tenants fail to comply versus the current approach of fining the generators of trash.

“I think we have the support on the council,” said City Councilor Stephen Long.

Long is chairman of the committee and has been a vocal proponent of fining the landlords, saying that the property owner is always held responsible for issues in other city ordinances.

Compliance officers have had a difficult time identifying who in a multi-family fails to comply with using the purple bags.

“Most of the landlords I talk to don’t have an issue with it, but some will. I think it makes sense, but it’s not an easy vote and it’s not about punishment, it’s about upholding our ordinances. If you don’t, what’s the point of having ordinances,” Long said.

Mayor Jasiel Correia II had attempted to rescind the PAYT program in the new fiscal 2019 budget, but the council in a 6-3 vote, rejected the move, citing the loss of over $2 million in revenue.

One proposed ordinance that will be before the committee is one that would increase parking meter fees by double as proposed by the administration as a means to help offset the anticipated loss of revenue by ending the pay-as-you-throw program.

The council unanimously voted to cut the $300,000 in additional parking meter revenues when they approved the budget.

“As far as I know there is no support to increase parking fees, at least not now,” said Long.

The committee meeting meets at 5:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers at One Government Center.

Email Jo C. Goode at jgoode@heraldnews.com