Under a pilot program, garbage hauling on Bethlehem's Southside will begin as early as 5 a.m. in October. Members of city council approved the pilot program 6-0 at their meeting July 21. Councilman Michael Recchiuti was absent. Final reading for the proposed ordinance will be at the Aug. 4 meeting.

The program also calls for garbage collection to be limited to Monday and Tuesday, unless inclement weather or other extenuating circumstances arise.

Mayor Bob Donchez noted that the zoned hauling issue has been discussed at numerous block watch meetings and during a walking tour last year, as well as with haulers directly. Southside was suggested for the pilot program since approximately 57 percent of trash violations are reported there.

Under the program, no citations will be given from October to January. The grace period allows haulers and residents to get used to the earlier start and allows for time to handle the issue of illegal dumping.

Council member Bryan Callahan thanked the administration for tackling the issue. "I congratulate you for trying to start somewhere." He said he hopes the program will lead to a "fix to a bad problem. I hope it works. I really do. I applaud you for this," Callahan said.

He said the biggest problem is illegal dumping, which not only creates a health hazard, but wastes resources as city employees have to check on the complaints, arrange for pickup and disposal of the garbage. "Taxpayers are paying the tipping fee" for those who do not have a private hauler, he said.

Councilman Adam Waldron asked why the proposed ordinance only addresses 6 to 5 a.m. change, leaving the days of the week to be addressed in non-ordinance guidelines set by the Community and Economic Development Director Alicia Karner. Waldron said it may be advisable to "strengthen ordinance for proper enforcement."

Karner said, "We can amend it a lot faster" if the weekdays are not in the ordinance and said haulers are on board with the change. "They've been very cooperative," she said.

Council President J. William Reynolds said, "It seems it's going to be hard to enforce."

The pilot program may have to be changed after it is going to address any problems, Donchez said, noting "we're probably going to have to tweak a couple of things."

Council member Eric Evans said, "We have to find a way to make this move forward and not hold it up." He said that allowing for flexibility is important "If we want this to work." It is also important to enforce the guidelines, Evans said. "Enforcement is important; it needs to be enforced to work for everybody."

Callahan called the pilot program a work in progress, but, "I'm totally on board with it."