City’s public works department
planning to vacuum leaves this spring, so be prepared
IN THE CITY
You may recall that the long cold winter started with a vengeance in November, when the first snow storm hit and there were still lots of leaves on the trees. Every fall Public Works vacuums leaves with the leaf vac until the weather is no longer cooperative. It seemed like last fall the leaves hung on longer than they typically do and then the snow hit and did not let up.
Some residents, who may have been ready to rake leaves, did not have much to rake because the leaves were slow to drop. When the leaves eventually fell, it was after the snow fell and now they are on your lawn this spring. You may be wondering what you are going to do with all the leaves that you don’t normally have this time of year.
Public Works has a solution for you. We do not typically vacuum leaves in the spring, but this spring we will be vacuuming leaves once the weather dries things out. Rake your leaves to the curb and we will clean them up for you. This cleanup is for leaves only. No other debris or waste will be picked up. Do not put the leaves in bags because that slows us down and costs you money for bags. Do not put any tree branches in with the leaves because those larger items plug the vacuum. If you are concerned about the leaves blowing, cover them with a tarp that is weighted down.
Public Works will only make one trip around the city, so do not wait until the leaf vacuum has gone by to decide to start raking. It will be too late. We do not have a specific day to start or finish because that will depend on weather and work schedules. We will put out a notice on Channel 16, when we are ready to start.
All of the leaves that are vacuumed are composted, so take advantage of this opportunity and avoid more costly disposal methods. If you want to haul your own leaves and rakings from the lawn, you can take them to the Recycling Center or Landfill. There is no fee as long as the material is one half inch diameter or smaller.
If you have questions regarding the leaf vacuuming or other public works issues, please contact the Public Works Division at 764-2560.
Dana H. Fowler, P.E., is public services director for the city of Presque Isle. He can be reached at 760-2707 or via email at dfowler@presqueisleme.us.
