Islip to Hold Public Hearing About Drop Off Bins

The Town of Islip will hold a public hearing next month to discuss modifying its existing regulations as it pertains to clothing dropoff bins that are placed around the township and used by various local groups to collect unwanted clothing from area residents. The hearing will be held during the October 13 town board meeting at town hall.

According to Erin A. Sidaras, deputy town attorney, Islip Town is looking to change the existing law in an effort to enhance how it regulates the bins. Seen in communities throughout the town, the dropoff bins are used by a variety of organizations including charitable non-profits, non-profits and even for-profit groups as a way of raising funds.

"We have heard stories where some of these bins have been stolen and placed in different locations," she explained. "Those moving the bins then sell the contents overseas for a profit."

Sidaras noted that the town is looking to tailor the permit review process to enhance how the bins are tagged and tracked. 

In addition, town officials are also looking to augment the permit fee structure as it pertains to dropoff bins. If approved by the town board, charitable non-profits would still pay the $100 per bin registration fee currently charged by Islip Town. However, for profit entities looking to place bins would be required to pay $200 per bin. The fees per bin covers a period of 12 months.

Each bin placed in shopping centers or other locations around the town are required to have a town permit affixed and also have the permission of property owners.

But as the town initially considered modifying the fee structure, some local non-profits were concerned that they would be required in the future to pay $200 per bin. Lorraine Pace, co-president of the Bay Shore-based Breast Cancer Help, said any increase in dropoff bin registration fees would reduce the amount of money her group raises from donations. 

"Since we started using the bins 10 years ago we have raised about $1 million from the donations we receive," she explained. "That money has been used to purchase the two digital mammography units and we also used the funds to help purchase other equipment as well."

Pace said officials with Breast Cancer Help met with Islip Town Supervisor Phil Nolan to discuss their concerns about the proposed fee increase. "We reached out to Supervisor [Phil] Nolan about the possible rise in fees for the bins," said Lorraine Pace, co-president of the Bay Shore-based Breast Cancer Help. "He obviously heard and understood our concerns."