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Posted by tommy on 2008-04-04 03:16:41 +0000

Construction debris

This afternoon, I arrived home from work to find not only the expected empty trash and recycle bins, but also six trash bags of unknown origin (not ours!). Bright orange stickers saying "UNACCEPTED TRASH" were attached. That was not all. A "STOP WORK" sticker was affixed to our front door with what appears to be the strongest adhesive ever made. "Permit required," says the sticker. "Construction debris will not be collected with trash." Closer examination of the bags revealed them to be filled with remnants of blue exterior shingles. I should make clear that we are doing no construction work, have no debris, and in fact have no access to blue shingles. Someone apparently decided that I should be the one who pays to have this shit taken away. But, wait, didn't I see a blue house getting its shingles replaced on Monday when I was walking back from Foodmaster? And, what's this, parked on Wyatt St.? Is that a Chevy van with Massachusetts license plate "9782 GZ", with a bag of construction debris next to it? And, is that van parked next to that same blue house I saw on Monday? And, is that house at 14 Wyatt St, Somerville, MA? And, do the shingles match perfectly with the ones dumped in front of my house? I will refrain from posting the owner's name here -- for all I know she hired people to do the job, and knows nothing of the dumping. But, someone is so bagged.

Posted by tgl on 2008-04-04 03:37:00 +0000
Wonderful photo/essay. I admit to disposing of construction debris one garbage pail at a time over the past 12 weeks. This debris from the replacement of my bulkhead, which I undertook in the fall of '06. Any laws against aged construction debris?

Posted by ConorClockwise on 2008-04-04 03:38:03 +0000
Nice work, Bagman. Your place looks great. Keep the shingles.

Posted by dyedon8 on 2008-04-04 06:34:16 +0000
Fuck a bunch of dumpers. (Post phone numbers or it didn't happen.)

Posted by tommy on 2008-04-04 12:53:38 +0000
867-5309

Posted by G lib on 2008-04-04 13:12:02 +0000
What are you going to do, tommy?

Posted by tommy on 2008-04-04 13:19:03 +0000
I am waiting for a callback from Gene, the building inspector (he can be reached at 617-625-6600, dyedon8). It turns out that the city will actually come pick up the bags at no cost to me. So, the story's mostly over on my end now -- I just have to get that sticker off the door. Not sure what will happen to the neighbor and/or her contractors.

Posted by tendiamonds on 2008-04-04 13:49:13 +0000
Wow.

Posted by Miriam on 2008-04-04 14:29:18 +0000
Try Goo-Gone.

Posted by virtue on 2008-04-05 11:28:15 +0000
I recommend goo gone in conjunction with a paint scraper/razor blade. Apply a thin coat of goo gone to the entire surface of the sticker (the colors may run), allow to sit for 10 min. or so, and then begin scraping from the corners. At least they put the sticker on the glass, and not on the painted wood of the door.

Posted by tommy on 2008-04-05 13:13:32 +0000
Thanks for the tips. It actually came completely off with razor blades and acetone.

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