Editorials

Editorial: Motion on garbage district is good news

Garbage piled high on Oak Avenue in Flanders. (Credit: barbaraellen Koch)
Garbage piled high on Oak Avenue in Flanders. (Credit: barbaraellen Koch)

Just over two years ago, we called on Southampton Town to create a garbage district in Flanders, Riverside and Northampton. And now Southampton Town is calling on residents in the area to make the decision themselves

A taxing district to cover the cost of trash pickup should help eliminate unwanted dumping around those hamlets, which include many wooded areas that — unfortunately — can provide easy spots to drop off debris.

Kudos are due Southampton Councilman Brad Bender, who brought the issue to the forefront in his first year in office. After losing by just 92 votes in 2011, his decision to make a second run for Town Board could end up being what brings Southampton its first — and much needed — garbage district.

The cost of pickup service remains to be seen, however. Hopefully, the numbers will be palatable to taxpayers.