Elburn board relaxes restrictions on garbage placement

Elburn residents can relax a bit regarding the transport of their garbage cans to the curb.

The board approved amendments to the garbage ordinance earlier this week that give residents more time to take garbage to the curb for pickup, and retrieve the empty cans after pickup.

The action came after the police department received complaints from residents about being given $25 tickets over the sticky refuse issue.

"We wanted to make it more resident friendly," said Elburn Police Chief James Linane, who asked the board to reconsider the original ordinance.

The story began last spring when the board passed an ordinance banning leaf burning. The ordinance also stated that residents could place their refuse on the curb no earlier than 6 p.m. Tuesday - the day before pickup - and that garbage cans had to be retrieved no later than 11 p.m. Wednesday.

Linane said his department attempted to educate the public about the new laws before warnings were given in early November, and $25 tickets were issued in late November.

"After the ordinance passed last year, we did everything we could to let people know about it," Linane said.

Linane said efforts included a six-month education campaign with fliers and information on the village Web site. Still, residents squawked, claiming they hadn't heard about the ordinance, and appealed the tickets.

"We also heard from seniors who said that it was dark at 6 p.m. during the winter, and they were concerned about taking garbage out that late in the snow and ice," Linane said. "And we heard from businesses that take their garbage to the curb when they close at 5 p.m."

With the new amendments, residents can now place garbage and yard waste on the curb as early as 3 p.m. the day before pickup. Empty receptacles can be retrieved as late as 9 a.m. Thursday.