”
I have a couple of questions. I’ve seen my neighbors dumping
their car’s oil and other garbage in the storm drain. Can I report
that to the police department, or do I have to report that to
another agency?
”
“I have a couple of questions. I’ve seen my neighbors dumping their car’s oil and other garbage in the storm drain. Can I report that to the police department, or do I have to report that to another agency? Another thing is that they don’t have trash service and they have garbage in their backyard and front yard and some of it sometimes ends up in our front and/or backyard. What can I do about that? Is it illegal to not have trash service?”
Dear Trashed, Red Phone contacted City Program Administrator Anthony Eulo, who said there is no treatment system on a city’s storm drains and water in the system travels directly into local creeks and ultimately the Pajaro River and Monterey Bay.
“Given this, all pollutants placed in the gutter or storm drains are a danger to local fish and wildlife,” he said. “Therefore, per the city’s National Pollution Discharge Elimination System Municipal Permit and Storm Water Management Plan, discharges of any kind into the storm drain system, creeks, streams, or rivers other than clean water is not allowed and considered an illegal discharge.”
Items like used oil, paints and trash should never be purposefully dumped into the city’s storm drain system. Such activity can be reported to the city’s Code Enforcement Officer at 778-6480 or reported online by going to the “Report a Concern” button on the right side of www.morganhill.ca.gov.
Finally, the Morgan Hill Municipal Code requires all residents in the city to subscribe to and use the garbage service provided by South Valley Disposal and Recycling.
“Garbage cannot legally accumulate for more than one week,” he said. “Violations of these provisions can also be reported to the city’s Code Enforcement Officer using the methods described above.”
Good caller, hope that helps keep your neighborhood clean and our creeks clear of pollutants.
Homeless camp is an unsightly mess
“I was wondering if Morgan Hill Police knew about the homeless camp off of Butterfield and E. Central? I have noticed several people living in that large field, made of plywood, blue tarps, and white plastic chairs. I live in Central Park and we are getting more foot traffic from across Butterfield. Just wanted the community to be aware of the situation.”
Dear Wondering, Red Phone contacted John Amos, code enforcement officer with the city, who said he met with the owner last week and walked through the encampment.
“We asked that he post ‘no trespassing’ signs which will enable the Police Department’s enforcement efforts,” Amos said. “We also asked that he clear all the trash and debris as well as trim the trees and shrubs to allow good visibility.”
He also said the property owner is cooperating and has already posted signs and had a crew working (Tuesday).
So good caller, the community is now aware, and now so are the property owner and police.
