By By JAMES COLLINS / Niles Daily Star
NILES -- Niles City Police officers are working to make sure trash haulers in Niles are complying with city ordinances.
Every year, commercial haulers must renew a permit to operate within city limits. This includes a basic refuse collection permit and an inspection certification from a mechanic, verifiying the trucks operated when hauling garbage are safe.
The due date for renewal was June 1.
On Monday, Niles City Police officers were making traffic stops on some of the haulers and issuing citations to the truck operators without proper permits.
Niles Police Chief Ric Huff said the companies were all issued warning letters notifying them of the city ordinance. Yet, some haulers have not taken the necessary action.
Assistant Public Works Director Joe Ray said the city has certain standards for garbage trucks and that a mechanic must look over the trucks each year to make sure there are no problems, such as leaking.
He said there are five haulers within city limits, only two of which are currently in compliance with the city ordinance.
The permit also allows the city to make sure all of haulers are providing the services they should be.