Numerous people came out Wednesday night to question a move by Lansford Borough Council to require businesses to have a dumpster.

The item was listed on the council’s agenda, along with another motion to send letters to businesses and multi-apartment properties notifying them that dumpsters will be required.

Neither action happened.

Council tabled both for further discussion during committee meetings, as the matter hadn’t been brought up or worked through among council members before appearing on the agenda.

Residents raised concerns about requiring businesses to have a dumpster, especially when many businesses in the downtown don’t have space to place one, except along the sidewalk.

Councilwoman Michele Bartek, who asked that the items be placed on the agenda, said she wanted to bring them before council to discuss them, not immediately act, when questioned.

But she also believed it was necessary to combat garbage from sitting out on the streets smelling like a sewer.

Bartek said they would work with businesses that don’t have the space and suggested that Grace Community Church, which has multiple buildings in the downtown take all of the trash to a dumpster behind the church.

A volunteer for the church’s thrift store along West Ridge Street explained that people dump their unwanted stuff at their doors in the middle of the night — ignoring signs that list when donations are accepted.

The thrift store is then forced to dispose of other people’s trash, and shouldn’t have to haul it to the dumpster behind the church, which is on another street. The church and its members also do a lot to help the community, he said.

Councilman Joseph Butrie pointed out that Family Dollar had an issue with construction waste being placed in its dumpster that the store didn’t generate.

“I’m against the dumpsters,” he said.

Resident John Williams questioned how council would determine which businesses need a dumpster, and which didn’t, and expressed concern about requiring them for rental properties.

“Rental properties are a business,” he said. “I have three rental properties across the street from me owned by two different landlords. Does that mean two or three dumpsters in front of my house?”

Bartek said what was on the agenda was wrong, and that she should have had the opportunity to present and discuss the matter before it was put out for public opinion. The public is allowed to comment on agenda items before council taking action, and the agenda is required by state law to be posted 24-hours before the meeting.

Council President Bruce Markovich and council Vice President Jay Doyle both told residents that council hadn’t discussed or agreed to a dumpster requirement.

Williams told council that they do need to talk about this proposal, and put some time, thought and work into the matter before acting.