Cleanup from Hurricane Irene is a Big Job

Town pickup crews have hauled off dozens of tons of yard waste over the last couple of weeks from the homes of residents, as the last remains of Hurricane Irene begin to fade.

Waste Management, the town's waste service provider, added extra trucks and pickup crews, but the huge amount of tree damage from the storm, which produced extra-large loads at some homes, has added days to the process.

Town Manager Steve Biggs said work crews "will continue to work in a steady, organized way until all the work is finished."

Residents must comply with the Town's solid waste ordinance regarding placement, size, and volume of materials placed for pick-up. Large volumes will entail a special pick-up fee.

As yard waste removal continues, the Operations Department is reminding residents of pickup guidelines in an effort to avoid any disruptions in service.  Here are some guidelines to remember:  

• Yard waste cannot be mixed in with normal household garbage in the large containers. If yard waste gets into a garbage container, it must be removed before any pickup can continue.  

• Yard waste that is small in nature must be containerized in plastic bags, boxes or other plastic/metal containers no greater than 50-gallons each and placed behind the curb and sidewalk for collection. Please do not place containers in the gutter or a drainage ditch.  

• Limb pickup is limited to seven-cubic-yards per week per customer. Generally, limbs can be no greater than four inches in diameter and no greater than six feet in length. However, limbs between four and ten inches in diameter will be picked up if they are cut into lengths of two feet or less and stacked neatly behind the curb and sidewalk with all sawed ends facing the street. Please do not place stacks in the gutter or a drainage ditch.  

• Commercial tree services which operate on private property are responsible for removal of all limbs, logs, trunks and other debris associated with their service. They are not allowed to stack debris for town collection.