NYC Council Member Michael C. Nelson, member of the Council Committee on Sanitation and Solid Waste Management, is outraged at the proposal by the Department of Sanitation to charge religious institutions a fee for solid waste collection.

The proposal, which is part of the mayor’s Programs to Eliminate the Gap (PEGs) and still in its infancy, would also apply to universities and not-for-profits and would create recurring revenue of approximately $17 million although that is not anticipated until Fiscal 2013.  The Department of Sanitation had stated in their testimony to the City Council that they will continue to research this idea and determine the appropriate charging and billing structure. Councilman Nelson and his colleagues will track this proposal closely and oppose it every step of the way.

“I am simply outraged and livid that the city would even consider such an option knowing full well that if implemented would greatly affect the city’s religious institutions.  Our religious institutions were not immune from the recession and to add more financial burdens to their already cash strapped pockets would certainly lead to the closure of some of them,” said Councilman Nelson.  “Sanitation pick-up is an essential primary service which is paid for by taxpayers.  If the city requires these churches, synagogues and other nonprofit community-based organizations to pay for garbage pickup, I do not doubt that most, if not all, will be unable to assume their responsibilities to their community without passing the cost onto the recipients of their services. Ultimately then it will be the taxpayer assuming the cost, with the city basically raising revenue on the backs of New Yorkers by double dipping for the same essential service.”

(YWN Desk – NYC)