The town brought in a bylaw last November that requires residents to cover their garbage when they put it out for pick-up, or to place it in a garbage box.
Netting is suggested as the best covering, but a blanket or tarp will do, according to Coun. Farrell.
Many homeowners are now following the new regulations but some are still not.
On Thursday morning he saw several examples of garbage that had been strewn about by gulls and other animals. Homeowners had put out uncovered bags in all those instances.
“The garbage man had to stop and clean it up,” said Coun. Farrell. “He doesn’t have time to be doing that. He has a schedule to meet.”
He said the delay of having to clean up ripped bags is costing taxpayers money.
Coun. Farrell also worries what sort of image this is projecting to the many tourists who are now stopping into Port aux Basques.
“It’s tourist season and this is hurting the image of the town,” he said, adding that he followed a vehicle with Québec plates past one particularly bad example of ripped garbage bags.
Coun. Farrell suggested three or four households could come together to share the cost of buying a garbage box, or even of buying a net.
While there was a grace period, the councillor feels it is time to enforce the bylaw to its full extent. One potential enforcement tactic would be to stop collecting uncovered garbage. Mr. Farrell said that option will be discussed at the Tuesday night meeting.
