Nonresidents in Monongahela may be fined for illegal waste disposal at garage

By ERIC SEIVERLING
eseiverling@yourmvi.com

Nonresidents of the City of Monongahela who have been illegally dumping at the city’s garage location may soon face legal action.
At its Wednesday meeting, city council discussed the possibility of developing an ordinance prohibiting dumping at the city garage by non-city residents.
Solicitor Todd Pappasergi said the illegal activity falls under trespassing, which can be considered a crimes code violation and not a property and maintenance issue.
Pappasergi suggested making an ordinance with a fine schedule that includes a written warning for a first offense, and a fine for subsequent offenses.
“I say we fine them the first time,” Councilwoman Claudia Williams said. “We have the cost of cameras and the cost of cleanup.”
Pappasergi said while there are already security cameras located at the city garage, an additional camera may be placed at the garage to bolster security.
Pappasergi said the cameras are able to identify the license plate of a vehicle driving to the garage, and if a company uses multiple vehicles to illegally dump at the garage, the company could be cited.
Maximum fines for illegally dumping at the city garage could reach between $600 to $1,000, but the actual fine amounts are set by local magistrates.
In other matters, council will be sending out notices to business owners who haven’t paid expired mercantile permits since the Sept. 30 deadline. According to Williams, the city has received only one permit renewal.
“Almost everyone is in arrears,” she said.
Council approved sending out notices to mercantile owners, giving the owners 30 days to pay for their permits. If not paid by the 30-day deadline, arrears owed to the city will go to the magistrate’s office.
Council announced Halloween trick-or-treating will be held 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31, and gave recommendations provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help protect against COVID-19:
• If a homeowner wishes not to participate, turn off front porch lights.
• Wear a facemask in addition to a Halloween mask.
• To minimize person-to-person contact, homeowners should leave a candy basket outside.
Council also announced Monongahela’s Halloween parade will be at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at Chess Park, with the lineup beginning at 6 p.m.
“Even when you’re outside, social distancing is required and wearing a mask is required,” Pappasergi said.