LEWISTON – Leaving the wrong things curbside during the next few weeks of spring cleanup could result in getting a $210 summons, say city officials.

The city began its second week of cleanup collections on Monday. Crews are collecting bulky household items, old furniture, appliances, wood and brush through May 11. It’s part of the city’s annual spring cleanup.

But Lewiston City Planner David Hediger said many people have been leaving out things the city doesn’t collect: tires, computer monitors, old paint, gasoline cans and batteries.

Public Works crews are leaving those items behind, Hediger said. Code enforcement staff goes out and documents them, he said. “We turn it over to the police, and they’ll issue a summons.”

Public Works crews will collect the waste and dispose of it properly, but residents that let that happen could pay a $210 fine.

“We know that some people just don’t understand what’s supposed to go out, and we are willing to work with them,” Hediger said. “If they bring the stuff back in, and don’t leave it on the curb, we can rescind the summons.”

This year’s cleanup began last week for customers with Monday and Tuesday trash collections. Collections for people with regular Wednesday pickup began Monday.

Curbside collections continue through May 15. Thursday trash customers should have their spring cleanup waste out by May 4 and Friday customers should have it out by May 11.

In Auburn, curbside collections are scheduled to begin May 4. Assistant Public Works Director Sid Hazelton said piles have started appearing already, and that’s too early.

“We started advertising it a few weeks ago, and people start putting stuff out the instant they see those fliers,” Hazelton said. “We understand, because it’s the first thing people do when they have nice weather. They clean up the yard or the garage and start setting stuff out.”

Auburn doesn’t collect computer monitors or hazardous waste, either. Hazelton said his staff plans to label the information, telling customers where it should be taken. Hazardous liquids, including paint, pesticides and gasoline, should be taken to the Environmental Depot at the Lewiston Solid Waste Facility on River Road. Computer monitors, old televisions, fluorescent or mercury light bulbs and used motor oil and anti-freeze can be taken to the city’s Public Works facility at 296 Gracelawn Road.

“We’re just trying to get the word out that there is a place for everything they have,” Hazelton said. “It’s just a matter of knowing where that place is.”

Editors’ note: The original article incorrectly reported that the city of Auburn would not collect tires during clean-up week. This is not the case, the city will accept four tires per address.