City ready for leaf collection

Monday, October 29, 2007

Every fall, the city of Greencastle provides vacuum leaf collection for its residents.

Department of Public Works crews drive large equipment through the various neighborhoods with a truck pulling a specialized vacuum to collect leaves that have been raked between the curb and the sidewalk.

Street Commissioner Paul Wilson said that since the price of gasoline and diesel fuel has risen sharply, they ask residents to gather their leaves in the following manner:

Collection begins at 7 a.m.

Be sure to gather the leaves the night before the leaf vac is in your neighborhood, that way you will not be waiting another week for them to come back to get your leaves.

As you pile yours leaves, try to consolidate the leaves into one pile. Also place them in areas where there is easy access to them. Do not rake the leaves between parked cars. The huge vacuum and the manpower needed to operate it will not fit in tight places, Wilson said.

Do not put leaves into the streets or down or near storm drains.

"It is very important to not have tree limbs, rocks, bricks or other debris that may be mixed with the leaf pile," Wilson said. "Past history shows these materials have caused extensive damage to the equipment, thus creating a loss in service and unnecessary taxpayer expenditures."

The Greencastle leaf collection service schedule will be the same as last year. The department will attempt to pick up your leaves the same day of your refuse (trash) pickup service. Leaf collection will be on schedule, weather permitting, and with no equipment failures. "Please call my office if you need a leaf collection schedule update," Wilson said. "I will try to keep up with the ever changing schedules."

The vacuum motor on the leaf collection vehicle generates noise and a certain amount of dust, especially if the season has been dry.

"We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and we will continue to do our part to minimize these impacts," Wilson said. "This is a very busy time for the Department of Public Works and we hope that we can get to your leaves in a timely manner. We also want to thank you for your cooperation in the past."

Wilson said the leaf pick-up is a $30-benefit for the residents of Greencastle and with the higher fuel prices, even a better benefit this year.