Township Brush and Leaf Pick-up Service Could Be Reduced, Public Works Report Says

Matthew Hersh

A proposal that could significantly alter the way residents deal with their excess leaves and branches was put forth to Township Comittee Monday night as the Princeton Township Department of Public Works considers how to specifically comply with mandates dictated by New Jersey's new Clean Water Act, which goes into effect in 2005.

While no formal action was taken, changes in curbside service could range between an expansion of service to seven months out of the year to the elimination of the Township's brush collection program altogether, except for the Christmas tree pickup and during times when hurricanes and heavy winds knock brush and leaves from trees.

Since the enactment of the state's new stormwater regulations, the Township has been looking at potential methods of compliance while focusing on its paving program. The Township is currently underway with a $6 million road paving and improvement project that was put into motion after a particulary harsh winter this past year.

Public Works representatives said that the combination of the "constant" pick-up need for brush has slowed the process of several road-paving projects, and that, if nothing else, they would like to curtail brush collection during July and August.

Complete elimination of the program, according to the Public Works report, would enable the department to expand its paving season from two months to four months, saving a projected $775,000 that would otherwise be paid to hired contractors.

However, with the elimination of various brush pick-up services, landscapers and residents would have to drop off their materials at a Lawrence Township compost site, causing potential problems with older residents and those unable to haul their materials to an off-site location.

The problem, according to Public Works Superintendent Don Hansen, is that when residents put their brush in the street for pick-up, it can potentially clog nearby inlets and stormdrains.

Mr. Hansen also recommended that the Township adopt a leaf pick-up program that would replace the current practice of placing piles of leaves curbside in favor of bagging leaves in biodegradible bags that would be picked up by Public Works, thus reducing the chance for stormdrain clogging.

But Committeewoman Casey Hegener worried that not all residents would be able to bag leaves themselves.

"How will we help the residents? We have to help the residents make it easy to clear their lawns of brush and be in compliance with the new laws," she said. While she agreed that the current program should change in response to the stormwater regulations, she suggested that Public Works go "back to the drawing board" before moving forward with the proposal.

Township Committee did, however, order an unspecified number of bags in preparation for residents who wish to bag their own leaves on a voluntary basis this fall.

According to the proposal, 20 free bags would be issued per home, with additional bags sold in blocks of 10 at $2.50 per block. When filled bags are ready for pickup, residents would be able to call or e-mail the Township and bags would be picked up within two days.

Mr. Hansen said the Township has difficulty keeping up with the volume of brush material put curbside and that a large number of residents leave oversize logs, bricks, and other landscaping material that does not comply with the current regulations,

Mr. Hansen implemented a similar program when he was a senior official in Edison Township's public works department,

The Township has had its current system in place for nearly 10 years. If pick-up service is diminished, the program would return to one similar to what was in place before the current regulations were enacted.

A hearing for the proposal is scheduled for Committee's September 13 meeting.