Businesses to be Charged for Garbage Pickup

Commercial buildings in Harrison will have a new bill to pay this April.

The Harrison Town Board approved a new law that will require commercial buildings and businesses to pay for the town to collect their garbage.

The new law will affect about 200 businesses and is expected to generate between $200,000 and $225,000 for the town, according to acting Commissioner of Public Works Anthony Robinson.

Businesses will have to pay a $100 permit fee followed by a $1,200 annual fee for two containers. Businesses requiring more than two containers will be charged $600 per extra container.

Harrison Mayor/Supervisor Joan Walsh said that a lot of other communities have used this program to generate money. She also said that she has discussed the new law with most of the commercial establishments in town.

The money generated by the fee has already been incorporated into this year's budget. Robinson said that letters will go out to businesses this week letting them know about the change.

Not everyone was in favor of the new fee. Sam Fanelli, who owns a small business in West Harrison, said that he has a problem with being charged.

"There should be a minimum you pick up from businesses for free," he said. "The only thing I have is an orange barrel that gets filled once a week."

Fanelli added that he will throw his garbage away at another location before paying the fees imposed by the town.

Walsh said that Fanelli had a point, and that a minimum amount is something that the town will consider in the future.

The commercial pickups will take place on Mondays and Fridays, recycling collection will take place on Tuesdays and Thursdays at no additional fee.