Village Board Explores Creating Garbage District for Traders Cove

Port Jefferson's village board is exploring the idea of creating a garbage district for the businesses at Traders Cove, a move that some say will save businesses money and keep the area cleaner.

It's an idea the village's parking committee has been exploring for a few months alongside the proposed renovation project for that section of the village.

"The thinking behind this is that it would make no sense to completely redo the lot and not address the unsightly mess caused by the various dumpsters and compactor which surround it," Trustee Larry LaPointe said.

At a recent village board meeting, Mayor Margot Garant said the current carting system in Traders Cove is "like a wild, wild west."

LaPointe said the village has had meetings with a few garbage carters as well as the property owners who would be affected by the creation of the garbage district, all with productive dialogue so far.

Nothing is set in stone, but he said: "The goals of this exercise are to determine if garbage collection can be made more efficient, with significant reduction in odor, significant reduction in unsightliness, and at a reduction in cost to the surrounding businesses."