City unveils new garbage collection rules, enforcement

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council amended the city ordinance for garbage pickup and approved changes to the code’s Chapter 51 at their Sept. 10 meeting. The result lays out rules for curbside garbage pickup, bulk waste, and dumpster disposal for commercial and multifamily properties. Also adopted were new fees.

Assistant City Manager Trevor Nuttall said the city staff spent several months on these changes to modernize service.

The city will issue two 90-gallon containers per dwelling. Residents can choose to have two garbage bins or one garbage bin and one recycling bin. The first residential bin costs $23 a month, and $7 for the second.

Among the responsibilities for customers:

■ All garbage must be properly bagged inside the container, not left outside on the street.

■ Liquid, semi-liquid and other prohibited waste materials are not eligible for routine collection.

■ Containers must be removed from the street by the end of collection day.

If bins are not removed on time, the city will issue two notices before taking them away. It will cost $60 to restore a removed container and $70 to replace one.

For bulk waste, the city will collect one or two items at no charge. 

More than three items will come with a fee and possibly special collection. 

Nuttall said residents must keep bulk items at least two feet from the edge of the pavement and at least four feet from other items, or they may not be collected.

Three or more bulk items will cost $25. Yard waste will cost $24 per scoop. All sanitation charges are billed with water and sewer.

Storm recovery

The city council extended Mayor Joseph Trogdon, Jr.’s state of emergency declaration for the Sept. 5 storm through at least Sept. 26. 

City Manager Donald Duncan said debris removal and power line repairs were still under way, especially since the storm hit during the Labor Day weekend. The state of emergency helps the city waive typical fees for reconnection and debris.

Nuttall singled out Chief Building Inspector Eddie Garner. “I think he worked about 15 hours Saturday through Monday, on a holiday weekend, helping to ensure folks were getting power restored,” he said.

Trogdon thanked firefighters and other first responders for taking quick action. “Your hard work is appreciated and did not go unnoticed,” Trogdon said. “I’ve heard nothing but good things about it.”

Cliff Road traffic, stormwater and grants

■ The city council gave a consensus to update parking restrictions around Lindley Elementary School. City Engineer Michael Leonard said police noticed parked cars are disrupting traffic on Cliff Road, especially during school drop-off in the morning. The council agreed that staff can work on extending the parking restrictions as early as 7 a.m.

■ Asheboro will contract with McGill Associates to review stormwater controls. Leonard said they’ve had growing problems with runoff and erosion. McGill will provide recommendations, which could be placed on future development.

■ The city will likely pursue more community block development grants (CDBG) from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. 

Nuttall said they will bring any proposals before the city council in October for a public hearing.

Asheboro has used CDBG funds before for improvements to CASPN Homes, rent and utility assistance during COVID-19, the Jarrell Center City Garden, and firefighter breathing equipment.

Key to the City, Pride in Asheboro Award

■ Historian Ricky Allred received the Key to the City for his commitment to sharing the history of Asheboro. 

Council member Kelly Heath talked about his cemetery history walks, which are in their 18th year. 

Allred recently published a book about the Poor House Cemetery, which became the resting place for hundreds of elderly and impoverished residents in the 19th and 20th century.

■ The city council also recognized Lucas Rental Properties with the Pride in Asheboro Award. 

Duncan said Darren and Brian Lucas have built more than 1,000 housing units since the late 1990s, including Matthew Grande, Arlington Square and Zoo Crest Townhomes.