I know that the garbage can is horrible for town ratings, but is it possible to maintain a perfect town with one built? I want one for its functional purposes but I also need to grow jacobs ladders.
Yes, it actually doesn't have that bad of an effect on your town rating. I have a garbage can and a drilling rig in my town, and it's still perfect. I like having the garbage can outside so I can quickly get rid of rotten fruit, and flowers that villagers plant in the wrong places...