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Starting in Oct., city to issue fines for sidewalk dumpsters

By Kathianne Boniello

The city Sanitation Department has rolled out a new campaign to keep sidewalks clear by forcing merchants in Bayside and the rest of the city to keep garbage dumpsters off the streets.

The new program, called Operation Dumpster, was expanded citywide this month and will be enforced beginning Oct. 15, the department said.

The program allows dumpsters, garbage receptacles, containers and heavy bags to be on the sidewalks only at the time of garbage collection, the department said. Dumpsters must be stored inside the building or at the rear of the building.

Garbage can be placed on the sidewalk one hour before a business closes, if a private carter picks up after the closing, or within two hours of collection time if the private carter picks up during the day.

Garbage cannot be left out over the weekend, under the program.

Fines for failing to adhere to the new rules range from $50 to $250 for sidewalk obstructions and a violation warning has already been issued to at least one Bell Boulevard business.