This is a problem that municipalities sometimes face. Storage of waste or objects of all kinds on private plots. An issue raised in Haute-Sorne recently in a written question submitted to the General Council…. But it is not always easy for municipalities to know when to intervene, or how.
Mainly a municipal competence
This type of case mainly falls under municipal jurisdiction. The canton only intervenes if a risk for the environment is proven, for example when unregistered vehicles are stored, explains Julien Paupe, waste management collaborator at the cantonal environment office. For their part, municipalities can fine offenders with fines ranging from 50 to 5,000 francs. But this is their only means of action because there is no provision for repeat offenses, Julien Buchwalder, controller of institutions at the Jura municipal service, told us. The fact remains that problematic cases are a minority, Gérard Ruch, municipal councilor in Haute-Sorne assured us: “It’s delicate, but the majority of cases are resolved without problem by a phone call or a letter from the authorities. On the other hand, there are always some cases that pose problems. The procedure is to send legal notices or fines. » The municipality can also request replacement work, but it is the responsibility of the sponsor, specifies Gérard Ruch.
A solution which can therefore prove costly for the community… because it is not always possible to obtain reimbursement of the costs incurred, Gérard Ruch explained to us.
Difficult to know when to intervene
Another problem for municipalities is determining when to intervene. Municipal regulations are sometimes vague. Some indicate, for example, that “The surroundings of properties and buildings must be kept in order”, or that “Any non-usual deposit of old cars, machines or the like is prohibited”… Which leaves some room for interpretation. It is not easy for municipalities to intervene, especially when the problem is aesthetic. Gérard Ruch, municipal councilor in Haute-Sorne in charge of waste. “What the limit is, that’s delicate. We must also act with diplomacy and meet people and above all avoid this type of case costing the community too much. »
Similar situation in Porrentury
Porrentruy is experiencing a similar situation. A private plot near the station is regularly cluttered by the tenant of the premises. The matter has also been the subject of repeated interventions at the City Council. The plot had been cleaned a few years ago but the waste has since reappeared. The mayor of Porrentruy Philippe Eggertswyler told us that he spoke with the owner of the plot at the beginning of December. It is the latter who will be responsible, at his own expense, for clearing out the remaining objects on his land after having given the tenant a few days to clear the plot himself. The fact remains that this issue is delicate and it is dialogue that is favored in the majority of cases. “We don’t want to become a police state either,” explains Gérard Ruch. We are not going to hire a police officer to go check on people’s homes. » /tna-male
