OLD TOWN — As expected, the City Council on Monday opened the door to discussion on mandatory recycling.

Councilors did not discuss the motions to call for the public hearing on the matter, which will be held during the council’s regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 4. During that meeting, the council will hear public sentiment on proposals to amend Chapter 22 of the city code, which covers solid waste and includes the provision for mandatory recycling.

City Council President Don Spencer said Sunday that Old Town was one of a “growing number of communities that has got to do it.” Currently, the city still uses its landfill, and will begin sending waste to the Penobscot Energy Recovery Co. facility in October, after the city’s transfer station is completed.

During Monday’s meeting, the council also voted to operate the transfer station and recycling center for 10 hours per day, four days per week when it opens later this fall.

Also during the Sept. 4 meeting, the council is scheduled to hold a public hearing on a proposal to increase the solid-waste facility access fees.

Under the proposal, the residential access fee would increase from $2 to $5, with a limit of two permits per household. Commercial fees, which include non-residents and all others, would increase from $50 to $70. A one-day commercial fee would be issued for $40.

Also during Monday’s meeting, the council approved an amendment to the city’s zoning ordinance, which altered the official definition of a family.

The change is designed to curb the number of people renting apartments in what were designed as single-family homes. On Monday, councilors approved the measure, which lowered the definition of a family from five un-related people living in one dwelling to three, thereby tightening restrictions.

The motion was unanimously approved, although one councilor, Walter Huffman, questioned the city’s ability to enforce the measure, and said that the ordinance change was prompted by one resident. Huffman was referring to David Grant, who has battled the city over the legality of the number of people living in various apartment buildings he owns.

However, City Manager David O. Cole said that city officials will be able to enforce the ordinance, although he acknowledged that enforcement might be difficult. Also, Code Enforcement Office Charles Heinonen said that most landlords likely will comply with the law.