By By JAN GRIFFEY / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- City Councilmember Scott Clark has some harsh words Monday for Southeast Berrien County Landfill board members.
He was reacting to the landfill board's refusal to supply the city with six dumpsters for use at a community clean up event.
The City of Niles, along with the City of Buchanan and Niles, Buchanan and Bertrand townships, owns the landfill.
City Administrator Terry Eull said the landfill provides the dumpsters to municipalities at half the regular rate, but "this is the second or third year in a row they've turned down our request for free dumpsters."
Clark renewed his suggestion that the landfill owners sell it. He said the city and its residents and taxpayers bear incredible liability for operating the landfill, but reap no benefit from it.
In other business Monday evening, the council approved the first reading of several ordinances, one of which would make it illegal to drive while talking on a hand-held cell phone in the city.
Another ordinance, if approved at the council's next meeting, would make it easier for city police officers to enforce the city's noise ordinance, said Niles City Attorney Robert Landgraf.
A third ordinance introduced for first reading Monday night would allow the city an avenue to recoup costs for some police and fire calls.
Niles City Councilmember Pat Gallagher said she wanted to make clear to city residents that the ordinance does not mean they would be charged if the fire department responds to a fire call at their home.