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Editorial
Sanitation enforcement must be equal across town
Cheektowaga's continuing battle to reduce the number of rodent complaints has once again resulted in proposed changes to the town's sanitation code. The proposal sensibly includes mandatory tight-fitting lids on garbage cans at the curb and language changes to tidy up other verbage. There is also a change to the structure for assessment of fines that allows for an advisory before issuing a formal warning and financial penalties.
To ensure that residents comply with the sanitation code, the town plans to hire two part-time code enforcement officers. Although details have not been finalized, these officers will likely follow garbage trucks to document addresses where the sanitation code has been violated. It is vital that these officers ensure equal enforcement across the entire town.
The rat problem in town is greatest along the Buffalo border, Cedargrove Heights and near commercial strips such as Union and Dick roads. While these are high-risk neighborhoods for rodent infestation, outlying neighborhoods are not immune. Therefore, if a resident on Borden Road chooses to haul his garbage to the curb in a plastic bag instead of in a can, he should be just as likely to be ticketed as a resident living on Alpine Place or Windwood Court.
Blanket enforcement of the code is a necessity for many reasons. We will address three. First, it will help generate trust in town government from those living in affected areas. They won't feel singled out by virtue of their neighborhood. Second, when a food source dries up, rats will quickly move on to the next available source. The problem in Cheektowaga became worse when Buffalo went to its garbage tote system. It won't take long for rats to discover Transit Road if there's no food along Union Road. Third, rats aren't the only animals that pull apart plastic garbage bags. Dogs, birds, cats, skunks and raccoons are known to perform their own garbage mining.
The Town Board will host its public hearing on amendments to the sanitation code on October 18 at 6:30 p.m. at Maryvale Drive Presbyterian Church. We urge residents to attend this meeting to offer their own opinions and provide guidance to the town board.
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