TRASH FLOW ISSUES SURPRISE SURPLUS GREETS MARIPOSA RESIDENTS.

Byline: Judy O'Rourke Staff Writer

SAUGUS - The residents in a new upscale town-house development in Plum Canyon anticipated epicurean kitchens and handcrafted stairs but not the continually overflowing trash bins in plain view outdoors whose contents routinely spill beyond the brick enclosures.

A waste hauler collects trash three times a week, but some residents say the bins fill up pronto when the overflow is dumped inside, spawning a vicious cycle.

``I spent $400,000 on my house,'' said Elizabeth Mitchell-James who moved Nov. 30 with her husband and 21-month-old son into a three-bedroom home in D.R. Horton's Mariposa development. ``We didn't even go out through the front door when the weather was more mild. It was disgusting.''

Mitchell-James has seen diapers, broken glass and other trash near the trash bin just beyond her front door, she said. Moving boxes discarded by an influx of new residents account for some of the trash, residents say, adding that piles of everyday trash are substantial.

Matt Sawyer, whose second-story balcony overlooks a trash bin, said odors from the overflowing trash bother him. He has donned rubber gloves to help trash crews pick up the garbage.

Several residents said wind blows refuse around the development. James Brent, a resident since June, said he plucks trash from his bushes and front yard every day. One of his neighbors said she has stashed trash in the garage temporarily.

Waste Management, Inc., which services the community, has a protocol dealing with such situations. Drivers who discover overflowing enclosures shoot date-stamped pictures, which are sent to the management company to indicate a possible need for increased services. Pictures have been taken in Mariposa for six months - since July - said Chris Fall, the hauler's public sector services manager. The number of bins has been increased, but Fall said more bins or more frequent service is necessary.

The residents said they do not fault Waste Management for the problem, they blame Horton and Lordon Management, which manages the homeowners association. Horton did not return calls Monday. Lordon Management said the problem stems from new residents who fail to crush their moving boxes. Donna Bauer, a representative of the company, said a janitorial crew has been helping to pick up trash since mid-December, often dumping it off-site. Lordon has met with the hauler twice on the site to make sure the ``bins are collected,'' she said. ``We have had a report from a resident and the developer is working with them,'' Bauer said. ``We do anticipate that when everybody moves in the problem will alleviate itself.'' A rolling trash bin is being considered for when large numbers of buyers move in all at once, she said. Homes in the two-story town-house community range from the high $200,000s to the low $400,000s. The Mariposa development is one of several projects along a booming stretch of Plum Canyon Road.

Mitchell-James has reported the matter to the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

Judy O'Rourke, [phone]

judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) A worker picks up trash around one of the bins at the Mariposa development in Plum Canyon on Monday.

(2) Elizabeth Mitchell-James, holding her 21-month-old son Michael James, has reported the overflowing trash bins at the Mariposa development to the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.

David Crane/Staff Photographer