The Town of Fort Frances has a message for those who persist in dumping their garbage alongside town streets—smarten up or pay up.
Operations and Facilities manager Doug Brown said Thursday morning the town has empowered its bylaw enforcement officers to levy $500 fines on the spot should people be caught in the act.
Furthermore, measures are in place to take violators to court should evidence be found in the trash that can identify the source.
“We’re going fine people $500 on the spot if we catch them,” Brown warned. “People had better realize the town is not going to roll over and die on this one.”
Brown said the matter already has been brought to the attention of the bylaw enforcement department, adding notices also will accompany the five free introductory “bag tags” being distributed to residents explaining the rules and consequences for violators.
He also said bylaw officials are prepared to root through the trash, if necessary, to obtain evidence to lay charges.
The area along Eighth Street has become a particularly popular dumping ground over the last few weeks, according to at least one resident of the area.
“I think it’s happening more over the last month,” a caller to the Times office said Wednesday.
When asked if she believed the problem could be related to the impending “bag tag” system here, she replied she did.
A trip along Eighth Street on Wednesday afternoon revealed a number of green plastic bags—some already torn open by ravens—as well as numerous drums, bottles, pails, and even animal carcasses.
The caller said she goes for a walk along Eighth Street nearly every day and has seen people dumping trash.
“It’s a disgrace,” she remarked. “There are some people doing it who should know better.
“I compost and follow the rules, but some others don’t, unfortunately.”
Rick Hallam, the town’s superintendent of Planning and Development, could not be reached for comment prior to deadline Thursday morning.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
