Overloaded Trash and Recycling Carts is a "major" problem in Fitchburg.
I have some examples of carts that were recently refused as they were so overloaded that dumping them in the truck would cause refuse to dump in the street.
-----> Here is the general system per the Fitchburg Board of Health:
1. If the cart is overloaded Waste Management drivers will call it in and the resident gets a warning.
2. After 2 warnings the resident will get a fine (1st $50, 2nd $100, 3rd $200, 4th and subsequent $250)
3. If the cart is so overloaded WM cannot get it in the truck without 'making a mess', they take a picture and refuse the stop. WM "has been a lot more lenient around the holidays", but in reality if the lid is open they are supposed to refuse it.
