LEWISTON — Property owners that don't drive will be able to let relatives use their punch pass to take trash to the city dump, councilors were told Tuesday night.

City councilors gave their final approval to a new electronic punch pass system designed to streamline property owner visits to the Lewiston landfill and let the city keep better track of what's being thrown away.

The new system tracks dump trips using drivers' license numbers. Public Works Director David Jones said residents will start using the electronic system Wednesday.

Jones said councilors had concerns about giving property owners who don't drive and don't have a driver's license access to the dump.

"They can designate someone to take their solid waste to the dump for them," Jones said. "For example, if one of our elderly residents has a grandson or granddaughter who wants to take their trash, it gives them an opportunity to have someone help them."

Jones gave councilors a form that residents can fill out to allow others to use their pass. It should be available on the city's Website, www.ci.lewiston.me.us, at the City Hall and at the landfill on Wednesday.

Property owners can purchase one $20 punch pass per property each year. Each pass allows them to dump two car tires, a television set or monitor, a refrigerator unit, six bulky items like furniture or rugs and 6,000 pounds of household trash, construction waste or brush. A second pass bought during the year costs $40, and Lewiston property owners can purchase two passes each year, per property.

Residents kept track of what they dumped with a paper pass under the old system. Dump officials inspect and weigh each load as it's taken in, checking off boxes with a marker. They're done when the pass is full.

The pass system stays in place, but the paper pass marked with a pen would be replaced with a city database. Property owners give the dump attendant their driver's license while their load is weighed and inspected and get a printed receipt telling them how much more they can bring in.

Passes can be purchased at the treasurer's office in City Hall or at the dump, once the new system begins. Residents can also call the landfill scale house at 513-3006 to find out how much more they can take to the dump on their current pass.

staylor@sunjournal.com