By John Denny Observer Reporter
(Charlestown, Nevis) ” The Solid Waste Management Authority wishes to remind the public of the derelict vehicle amnesty period that will continue until the end of October. Nevis residents wishing to have junk cars and trucks removed from their property, may accomplish this free of charge by calling SWMA at 469 1762. “We haven’t had the response from the shops and the garages we wanted,” said SWMA General Manager Carlyn Lawrence. “And, as usual on Nevis, everyone thinks they can wait until the last minute to get this done. The people that have vehicles to be removed need to hurry up and give us a call.” 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. “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.” Tuesday Online Code for Issue # 730 is VER 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.
