By John Denny Observer Reporter
(Charlestown, Nevis) ” In an effort to clean up one of the most unsightly aspects of Nevis, the Solid Waste Management Authority will be collecting derelict vehicles free of charge for the entire month of October. There is a limit of two vehicles removed for free per property for private owners. Garages and auto repair shops may have an unlimited number removed, but will be required to pay the Authority a towing fee of $50, according to SWMA General Manager Carlyn Lawrence. “Normally it would cost someone between $120 and $200 to have a derelict car removed from their property, depending on where they live,” said Ms. Lawrence. “We wanted to provide an amnesty period to clean up the island of all these junk vehicles. There are some places that are worse than others, but there are derelict vehicles all over Nevis and they look terrible.” Thursday Online Code for Issue # 727 is LDS Once the amnesty period is over, the Authority may start taking a strong arm approach to improving the appearance of the island. The Litter Abatement Act of 1989 provides for Solid Waste to remove derelict vehicles from private property and then bill the property owners. “If we get rid of enough vehicles this month then we might not have to do that,” she said. “We want to keep this voluntary and free. The problem is that many people want to keep junk in their yard. We have a lot of pack rats and hoarders. Hopefully some of their neighbors will see this in the paper and talk them into letting go of these vehicles.” Ms. Lawrence has arranged for the vehicles to be hauled off the island by a salvage company in St. Maarten who will come to Nevis with a portable crusher and a barge. To arrange to have vehicles hauled away, call the Solid Waste Management Authority at 469-1762.
