Autumn's Chore Made Easier With Leaf Collection Primer

Becky Melvin

If the air is crisp and tinges of yellow or red are starting to stain the treetops, it can only mean one thing: municipal leaf-collection season isn't far behind.

This year, leaf collection is scheduled to begin in Princeton Borough the week of October 13, and in Princeton Township the week of October 27.

But given this year's extended growing season, the start of leaf collection may be pushed back another week, if few trees have begun to drop their leaves by the thirteenth, Wayne Carr, Princeton Borough's director of public works, said.

Like all seasons, the leaf season brings its requisite rituals and accessories. Accompaniments include sweaters, hot chocolate, and invigorating workout sessions with the rake. But it can also bring a low-level anxiety about how best and when to clear leaves.

To combat angst, both Princetons publish schedules and regulations for leaf and brush removal to help residents. The schedules are available online and in the form of a newsletter for the Township and brochures in the Borough.

Following is a basic run down on leaf and brush collection:

In the Borough, vacuum trucks are scheduled to begin collecting leaves next week. Leaves should be left loose at the curb during collection times, with leaves and brush divided into separate piles.

The Borough divides its territory into three zones, with zone one, in the west part of town, slated for pick up first because the trees in that area generally drop their leaves first, Mr. Carr said.

The west part of town includes roads such as Westcott and Hodge.

Zone two, served the second week of collection, includes Harrison Street and many streets with tall Pin Oak trees. Zone three, where pick up happens last, includes Mercer Street, University Place, and Prospect and Patton Avenues.

Borough brush collection, which began the first Monday in September, will proceed until the end of the year, but may be halted subject to leaf and snow removal.

Brush is picked up at all properties west of Witherspoon Street on alternating weeks beginning the week of September 1, and for all properties east of Witherspoon Street, on alternating weeks starting the week of September 8.

For the remainder of the season, the west side will have pick up on October 13 and 27, November 10 and 24, and December 8 and 22. The east side will have pick up this week and October 20, November 3, and 17, and December 1, 15, and 29.

Brush collection includes twigs and sticks, but not grass. The Borough no longer picks up grass, and suggests that residents instead mulch grass back into their lawns.

Tied brush bundles should be no bigger than 12 inches in diameter and no longer than four feet. Borough residents are also welcome to deliver vegetative waste to the Joint Compost Facility at 3701 Princeton Pike, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., on weekdays.

Additional Services

Also, Princeton Sewer Operating Committee Convenience Center accepts lumber, brick, stone, furniture, appliances, woody brush, clean leaves, tires, and motor oil. Call (609) 497-7639 for details for handling the different materials.

For more information, visit the Borough's homepage at www.princetonboro.org, or call the Department of Public Works at (609) 497-7657.

In the Township, leaves should be raked to the side of the road to get picked up. Each residence should have two leaf removals for the season, said Don Hansen, superintendent of the Township's Public Works Department.

To help residents know when to put out their leaves, the Township is divided into three sections. Area one, to the northeast, will have pick up the week of November 3 and the week of December 1.

Area two, encompassing the southeastern part of town, will have pick up the week of October 27 and the week of November 24. And area three to the west will have pick up the week of November 10 and the week of December 8.

Area one is bordered by Route 206 to the west and the Borough line and Route 27 to the north. It includes the Little Brook neighborhood and addresses like Ewing Street and Snowden Lane.

Area two is bordered by Alexander Road to the west and the Borough line and Route 27 to the north. It includes the Riverside neighborhood and addresses like Castle Howard Court and South Harrison Street.

Area three is bordered by Route 206, the Borough line and Alexander Road to the east. It includes the Great Road and Cherry Hill Road.

This year, the Township has begun a new program allowing residents to give permission to their landscaping companies to take brush, logs, and leaves directly to the Lawrence Township Ecological Facility at 3701 Princeton Pike. Logs can be no larger than six inches in diameter.

Using the resident permission slip form included in the Fall Newsletter, residents can have their landscaper haul their vegetative waste to the dumping facility free of charge. The slips can also be used in the spring for brush removal.

Leaves on Shoulder

For regular leaf pick up, Township leaves should be placed on the shoulder of the road, between the curb and the gutter. Leaves shouldn't cover sidewalks, bike lanes, or crosswalks.

"If it's a hazard, we'll have to address it with the police," said Mr. Hansen. Piles of leaves can pose a real threat along portions of Routes 206 and 27 and on Mercer Road, for example, Mr. Hansen said. "Residents have to use a bit of common sense."

Piles should include leaves only. Brush and leaves cannot be mixed together.

Branch and log collection, which already occurred the week of September 15, will also be made the week of October 13, ahead of leaf removal.

Branches and logs are to be placed in a clear, accessible area along the edge of the road. They are to be placed in separate untied bundles or piles, with a maximum of three piles.

Branches must be cut no longer than four feet in length and be a maximum of four inches in diameter. Logs can be cut no longer than 18 inches long and 12 inches in diameter.

Branch piles can't be longer than four feet or wider or higher than three feet. Log piles can't be wider than eighteen inches or longer than four feet or higher than three feet.

Neither leaves nor branches should be put on the street more than 10 days ahead of scheduled pick up.

For more information, look online at www.princeton twp.org, or call the Engineering Department at (609) 921-7077.

Looking further ahead, when crisp air turns frosty, and the stuff falling from above is cold and white, the Township included aspects of its snow removal ordinance in its Fall Newsletter.

The ordinance requires removal of snow and ice by property owners along bike paths within 48 hours... But that's information for another season, hopefully.