(The following story by Brandi Barhite appeared in the Sandusky Register online edition)
SANDUSKY — For the first time ever, Sandusky has filed charges against Norfolk Southern, citing the railroad for not maintaining its property within city limits, according to documents filed in Sandusky Municipal Court.
The misdemeanor charge involves the property north of the tracks between Olds and Huron streets, which is littered with couches, tires and broken appliances — items illegally dumped by local residents.
“We are letting them know that they need to police the property and keep it clean,” City Manager Gerald Lechner said Tuesday, noting that the problem has been ongoing.
Norfolk spokesman Rudy Husband could not be reached for comment Tuesday night, but in a previous interview said “the railroad does what it can to prevent illegal dumping.”
Lechner said the city is willing to police illegal dumping, but the railroad, which is based in Norfolk, Va., has to keep up appearances.
“We’ll do what we can to help them find the people who dumped the trash,” Lechner said, “but they have to take care of their own property.”
The railroad is charged with violating the city’s public nuisance ordinance, which prohibits the accumulation of garbage, refuse and hazardous waste on private property, according to the court records.
The charge is a third-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $3,000 organizational fine.
In the past, the city phoned railroad officials and asked them to clean the property, Lechner said, but the work was not done promptly.
The city’s new policy is to send a written notice, according to Bob Jackson, nuisance control officer. Jackson said the city sent Norfolk the notice in December, giving the company 10 days to clean the property.
When 10 days passed and no work was done, the city filed charges, he said.
“This is how we handle all nuisance complaints now,” Jackson said.
Sandusky police Chief Robert Runner said it’s not easy to track illegal dumping.
Often, it is done late at night or early in the morning when no one is around. The area near Olds and Huron streets has several trees, which makes it hard to see if someone is dumping trash, he said.
“It’s obviously not done during normal business hours, and the location isn’t on the beaten path,” Runner said. “But if someone can get a license plate number, we will trace it.”
Illegal dumping is a misdemeanor. Only a few people every year are charged with the crime, Runner said.
Ron Sturzinger, plant engineer for Thakar Aluminum, 1364 Olds St., said he’s never seen anyone dump trash, but often finds items, such as couches and mattresses, along the rail track involved in the charge.
“We try to keep our side clean,” Sturzinger said, noting that he’ll pick up trash. “But you got to be careful, you never know what’s in the refuse.”
Runner said no one, in particular children, has ever been injured playing with the trash, which includes an overturned refrigerator.
Jackson said the city has cleaned the property in the past and billed Norfolk Southern for the expense, but wants to get the situation under control.
“This is how we would treat anyone else who violates the ordinance,” Lechner said.
Norfolk Southern scheduled to appear Feb. 25 in Sandusky Municipal Court, Jackson said.