CAPE MAY – The city is requiring trucks carrying construction debris through town to have secure coverings over their loads.

The City Council on April 1 adopted an ordinance requiring six-point secure coverings on the vehicles and defined the standards for the covers used.

The owner of the dumpster, the contractor and all employees and agents are jointly responsible under the terms of the ordinance.

Among the penalties for violation of the ordinance is the city’s ability to revoke permits allowing a dumpster to be placed on a city street and denial of future permits.

The ordinance was debated and refined over several weeks, with a final change made: The covering on the dumpster must be secured at four end points and on both sides of the midpoint of the dumpster.

The measure adds Cape May to the list of municipalities seeking to reduce the amount of construction and demolition debris that ends up as spillage on roadways and in wetlands and waterways.

The ordinance takes effect 20 days from its adoption and publication.

Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.