Burrows v. Warren (City)

103 N.E.2d 311, 61 Ohio Law. Abs. 539
CourtTrumbull County Court of Common Pleas
DecidedMarch 14, 1951
DocketNo. 59501
StatusPublished
Cited by1 cases

This text of 103 N.E.2d 311 (Burrows v. Warren (City)) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Burrows v. Warren (City), 103 N.E.2d 311, 61 Ohio Law. Abs. 539 (Ohio Super. Ct. 1951).

Opinion

OPINION

By THOMAS, J.

Plaintiff seeks declaratory relief in connection with his agreement of August 5, 1950 (herein called the Agreement) with the Board of Health of the City of Warren, by which Agreement he is given the “exclusive right to collect and remove garbage within the city of Warren” for a term of two years commencing October 1, 1950, and ending September 30, 1952.

First — Plaintiff asks the court to find invalid that portion of Section 8 of the Agreement which provides that “Garbage as defined in Ordinance No. 3924 shall include * * * tin cans. (Tin cans are those cans from which food is consumed by the family in the usual course by conducting a household.)”

[541]*541Secondly — it is requested by the plaintiff that the court find that Ordinance 3994/50 has nullified his Agreement, and further it is requested that the court order the Board of Health to proceed with advertising “for separate bids and contracts for the collection of Garbage and Rubbish, and for both,” as directed by Ordinance 3994/50. The case was presented on the pleadings, stipulations, mutual exhibits, oral evidence, briefs and oral argument of Counsel.

The plaintiff, the defendant city, and the defendant Board of Health, have rights and legal relations which are affected both by contract and Municipal Ordinance. They are, therefore entitled to have a judicial determination of the contested questions which the plaintiff raises concerning the construction and validity of Section 8 of the Agreement, and of the effect on the Agreement of Ordinances 3924/50 and 3994/50 of the City of Warren. Sec. 13102-2 GC, and L. & A. Ins. Co. v. Jones, 152 Oh St 287, 40 O. O. 326.

It is admitted that the plaintiff has fallen behind in his garbage collections. One of the reasons advanced for this breakdown in this vital public health service is the necessity, under Section 8 of the Agreement, for the plaintiff to collect “tin cans” as well as animal and vegetable refuse. At least fifty per cent or more of the bulk collected by the plaintiff is “tin cans,” the evidence indicated. If “tin cans” were not being picked up, plaintiff says that there would be a corresponding increase in the amount of garbage carried in each load. Faster service would thus result, plaintiff insists.

It is established too that much confusion now exists with reference to the effect on the Agreement of Ordinance 3994/50 passed December 18, 1950.

The plaintiff wrote the Board of Health on January 3, 1951 that “the fact that Council has passed an Ordinance declaring its intent to advertise for bids in contemplation of a new contract or contracts for garbage and rubbish separately, has further confused the matter.” Plaintiff then added “It has become necessary that I ask for termination of the contract dated August 5, 1950.”

Subsequently the Board of Health took action refusing to terminate the Agreement, and indicating that it would take steps to forfeit his $5,000.00 faithful performance bond, unless he carried out the Agreement.

In view of these facts it is apparent that his “action is within the spirit of the declaratory judgment act, a real justiciable controversy exists between adverse parties, and speedy relief is necessary to the preservation of rights which may otherwise be impaired or lost.” L. & A. Ins. Co. v. Jones, [542]*542supra. A case is therefore presented which justifies the granting of declaratory relief.

The first question raised by the plaintiff may now be considered.

Is That Portion of Section 8 of The Agreement Valid Which Provides That “Garbage as defined in Ordinance No. 3924 shall include * * * tin cans, etc.”

Section 8 of the Agreement in its entirety provides that:

“Garbage as defined in Ordinance No. 3924 shall also include sweepings, paper, wood, carton boxes and tin cans (Tin cans are those cans from which food is consumed by the family in the usual course of conducting a household).

However “tin cans” are not embraced within the definition of Garbage which is contained in Section 1(a) of Ordinance 3924/50, the Ordinance which fathered the Agreement; Section 1 (a) reads:

“That the word “garbage” as herein used is intended and shall be construed to mean and include fruits, vegetables, meats or any refuse accumulation of fruit, vegetable, or animal matter or anything whatsoever which will decompose and become foul, offensive or dangerous to health.”

The conclusion that Section 1 (a) does not include “tin cans” within the definition of garbage is reinforced by the express inclusion of “tin cans” in the definition of “Rubbish” which appears in Section 1 (b) and which reads:

“The word “rubbish” as herein used is intended and shall be construed to mean and include all inorganic refuse matter such as tin cans, glass, ashes, and sweepings, and shall also include wood, paper and carton boxes.”

Unless there is some other provision in Ordinance 3924/50 which modifies the plain unequivocal intent of Section 1 (a) and (b) to regard and classify “tin cans” as Rubbish, and not as Garbage, it follows that the language of Section 8 which designates “tin cans” as Garbage does not conform to Ordinance 3924/50.

Only one other section of the Ordinance conceivably might modify Section 1 (a) and (b).

This is the second paragraph of Section 6 which provides that:

“The holder of the garbage contract shall collect all combustible refuse including lawn, hedge, and tree trimmings, which shall be placed in suitable containers or shall be tied in bundles not to exceed three feet in length, arranged in such manner as to be easily handled by the collector.”

Undoubtedly the first part of Section 8 is thereby warranted. For “sweepings, paper, wood,” and “carton boxes, patently qualify as ‘combustible refuse.’ ”

[543]*543But just as patently, “tin cans” according to common knowledge and human experience do not constitute “combustible refuse.”

There is good reason to believe, as the evidence indicates, that when the Agreement was signed it was understood that “tin cans” should be within Section Eight’s definition of garbage (thus necessitating collection) only if “tin cans” could be burned in the new incinerator.

If the designation of “tin cans” as Garbage in Section 8 hinged on the success of the experiment in burning tin cans in the new incinerator it is necessary to ascertain the success or failure of the experiment.

It is agreed by all parties that though, according to the incinerator’s sales promotion, the incinerator was represented to have tin can consuming propensities, in actual performance, the incinerator does not burn tin cans.

“Tin cans” not being “combustible refuse” the Garbage Contractor cannot be required to collect “tin cans” by reason of the last paragraph of Section 6 of Ordinance 3924/50.

It is concluded that the designation of “tin' cans” as garbage in Section 8 of the Agreement, is inconsistent and irreconcilable with the plain terms of Ordinance 3924/50.

Nevertheless defendant city contends that the plaintiff is bound by Section 8 because he consented to its inclusion in the agreement.

Counsel for the city says in its brief:

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Bluebook (online)
103 N.E.2d 311, 61 Ohio Law. Abs. 539, Counsel Stack Legal Research, https://law.counselstack.com/opinion/burrows-v-warren-city-ohctcompltrumbu-1951.