BROOKLYN MEDIA GROUP JANUARY 20 - JANUARY 26, 2017 11 INCREASING REGULATION OF DUMPSTERS WILL BENEFIT OUR NEIGHBORHOODS BK SNAP S BROOKLYN HEIGHTS. Photo by Stephanie Durso Send us your photos of Brooklyn and you could see them online or in our paper. Submit them to us via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook by using the hashtag #HRPix; or email them to [email protected]. GUEST OPED Are you tired of unsightly, rusty metal containers contaminating our beautiful parking- spot-deprived streets of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights? Have you seen businesses or individuals illegally dumping materials into these bins? Did you sign on to a petition calling for the removal of a long overdue dumpster along 79th street in Dyker Heights? Well, if you answered yes to any of these questions, I have a solution for you! This week, I will be introducing a bill in the New York City Council that will appropriately regulate the issuance of waste container permits so the dumpster drama of the infamous Dyker Heights dumpster doesn’t rear its ugly head again. The Department of Transportation issues permits for two types of dumpsters: Commercial Refuse Containers for household cleanups or remodeling projects, and Construction Debris Containers for discarding waste associated with a construction site. Not only are these jumbo-sized metal shoe boxes an eyesore to the neighborhood, they also create hazards for the community. Dumpsters obstruct the right-ofway and sightlines of emergency response vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists, hampering the already congested tra c fl ow. The lidless receptacles are vulnerable to illegal dumping and pollute the air quality of the surrounding area because of harmful waste and toxins being unlawfully disposed of. These unsanitary conditions create a safe haven for rodents and other pests. The lack of e n f o r ceme n t complicates the issue because just like bad Christmas presents with no receipts, once they’re in place, they’re hard to get rid of. Completely eliminating dumpsters from our streets is simply not feasible, but properly controlling the granting of city permits will create for more orderly neighborhoods. Currently, there are no restrictions on the number of extensions for a Commercial Refuse Container permit obtained from the Department of Transportation. My bill will cap the number of renewals to three, seven-day permits, which is plenty of time for a basement cleanout. In addition, my proposed legislation will mandate that a valid Department of Buildings permit be required to obtain a Construction Debris Container, which is not the requirement presently. If there is no Buildings permit allowing for work to be done, then there should be no need for a dumpster. These responsible government measures will ensure a more diligent process of obtaining waste container permits from the city. Our neighborhoods will be cleaner, safer, and produce better optics to our lovely streetscape. I look forward to spearheading this legislation in the City Council on behalf of my constituents in Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights and Bath Beach. City Councilmember Vincent Gentile represents the 43rd Council District. THE HOT TOPIC BY COUNCILMEMBER VINCENT GENTILE STORY: Cuomo announces Verrazano toll reduction for S.I. residents, but not Brooklynites SUMMARY: While big changes are afl oat for Verrazano-Narrows Bridge users, drivers on the Brooklyn side of the Narrows have been left cooling their heels as Governor Andrew Cuomo announced permanent toll reductions for Staten Island residents in his recent State of the State address. Commenters on Facebook had a lot to say about the toll reduction not being offered to Brooklyn residents as well. REACH: 8,284 people as of (1/13/17) FOR MORE NEWS, VISIT WWW.BROOKLYNREPORTER.COM
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