Pay as you throw a no go

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The West Lafayette City Council voted for a new trash system, but the plan will not go into effect.

The council passed, four to three, a "pay-as-you-throw" plan where residents would pay for trash removal based on the amount of trash they throw out. A move by the mayor,  however, ensured that the current trash system will remain in effect.

"I do not support this ordinance as written," said Mayor John Dennis after the vote. "I will not assign this legislation as proposed."

Mayor Dennis said he would not sign the ordinance when it arrived on his desk, in effect vetoing the new garbage plan.

Those against the plan left the meeting pleased.

"We don't want to do something that everyone is not on board with," said Charles Rausch of West Lafayette.

Those in favor of of a new trash system left outraged.

"I feel betrayed," said Falon French of West Lafayette. "I feel like the West Lafayette government is here to really take care of the needs of the citizens and a lot of citizens said they supported this. Our representatives voted for this."

Councilman Peter Bunder sponsored the ordinance. He said was disappointed after working two years to update the city's trash plan.

"This strikes me as a fairly partisan decision," said Bunder. "It appeals to the worst fears of the citizens of West Lafayette and not the general progressive character of the last 28 years."

Mayor Dennis said no other mayor has overturned an ordinance in this manner. He did because so many people asked him to keep the current garbage service that is considered one of the best city services.

"I'm a representative of the people I serve and quite clearly since the first version of the ordinance passed last year I've been approached formally via email, formally via telephone, casually in the grocery store or walking my dog and the overwhelming majority said no," said Dennis.

Dennis said council members can override his veto, but it would require a majority plus one or five votes. He did find merit in the new plan because it would encourage recycling, but he believes city is already working to improve recycling rates by offering co-mingled recycling once a week. Currently, recycling is picked up once every other week. Weekly recycling is expected to go into effect in late May or early June.