To improve efficiencies and save at least $200,000, City will have two pick-up cycles instead of three in 2008
Fort Wayne, Ind. – The City of Fort Wayne’s leaf collection will start on the city’s north side Oct. 27 with two collection cycles instead of three as done in years past. Weather permitting, leaf collection will conclude Dec. 12.
This change will save the City at least $200,000. In 2007, the first pick-up cycle collected only 7 percent of the total leaves collected.
By going to two collection cycles and starting about two weeks later, the City’s street department, which is charged with leaf collection, will be able to save taxpayer money and finish collection about a week earlier, giving the street department an additional week to outfit these trucks for snow plowing.
Maybe they could save some money by using smaller equipment? Here’s what came rolling down my street last year.
And here is the net result. Keep in mind I “did not” have any leaves out for pickup. I have a mulching mower, and that takes care of most of them.
“Residents and taxpayers expect the City of Fort Wayne to deliver effective services while also being prudent with their money,” said Mayor Tom Henry. “Going to two leaf pick-ups allows us to do both. Most residents won’t even notice a difference, plus we’re providing priority pick-up for those who use the paper leaf bags.”
Save the environment by not burning and use a paper sack, since trees are a renewable resource, right?
Starting Oct. 27, residents who collected their leaves in biodegradable bags can call the 311 call center for priority pick-up within two business days regardless of the traditional collection dates.
The leaf collection dates for 2008 are:
• North: Oct. 27-31 and Nov. 17-21
• South: Nov. 3-7 and Dec. 1-5
• Central: Nov. 10-14 and Dec. 8-12
• The week of Nov. 24 will be used be to catch up on weather-related delays.During leaf season, residents can call the leaf hotline at 427-2302 or visit www.cityoffortwayne.org for the day’s pick-up locations.
Leaves must be raked to the park strip. The street department recommends having them there by the first day of the pick-up week. They should not be raked into street. Burning leaves is illegal, and they cannot be placed into the trash.
To schedule bagged leaf pick-up starting Oct. 27, call the 311 call center from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays at either 311 or 427-8311.
You can view the collection map here (PDF).
To the city’s credit, even though they have trashed my yard two years in a row, they did come out and repair it. From what Board of Public Works Manager Gina Kostoff told me, the crews damage a large number of yards each year.
This year I will have some large, stragically placed boulders out front.
AWB
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I got something GUARANTEED to work, Dan…
(if you have a neighbor that will go in with you).
Recall the scene in STAR WARS – Ep 6 with the EWOKS and the Imperial Walkers?
All you need are some LARGE TREE trunks that will swing down on BOTH SIDES of these front loaders when they encroach on your property…!
POW!
Talk about a “squeeze play”
…problem solved, right?
(“musta been those damn kids up the block that did that”)
Be careful Dan. Those boulders might make a comfortable place for someone to set on – and you never know what kind of problems that might bring.
Its great to see our local government at work.
The reason leaf pick-up ened a week later in the past is beacuse the last pick-up has to start after thankgiving. If it starts before, the north side leaves will only be 2/3 down (most years).
I don’t know what the total cost is for leaf pick-up but they have just made the intire program useless.
thanks Mr henry, way to think like a democrate (i mean not think at all).
Regarding the yard destruction it is much like the curb destruction with the snow plows during the winter, it gives the City employees something to do next year during their slow period, hence more people stay employed than are necessary.