They’re talking trash in Naugatuck. A war over garbage pickup is on between the borough and a landlord who says a new ordinance is discriminatory.
“When I look out my front door I just see a bunch of garbage across the street that the borough won’t take,” said Jermelle Thomas of Naugatuck.
Thing is, the borough doesn’t have too. There’s a new ordinance in Naugatuck that prohibits public works from picking up garbage at multifamily homes with 5 apartment units or more. It’s now the landlord’s responsibility to remove it, but the landlord on Carroll Street wont.
“We feel like we’re living in the ghetto of New York with all this trash. It’s ridiculous,” said Antoinette Cassino of Naugatuck.
More than 100 trash bags crowd the sidewalk and street. Some are filled with wrapping paper from Christmas, while others are filled with spoiled food. The landlord tells NBC Connecticut the new ordinance is discriminatory.”
“I’m a person with a strong conviction that my rights and the rights of everyone that lives in my property can not be taken away,” said Anthony Costa, the building’s landlord.
The Department of health sent Costa a letter giving him 10 days to remove all the garbage or face prosecution. He appealed it and is waiting to hear back.
“We’re all taxpayers. Whether they are owners or residents living in the properties,” said Costa.
In the meantime, residents now worry about the kids who use the sidewalk to get to school.
“They are going to have to walk in the street. It’s dangerous, someone could get hurt,” said Cassino.
Our calls to the Borough for comment were not returned.
