Sandy Branches Need to Be Tied or Put in Barrels

Around Madison, officials have noticed piles of branches that seem to be 5 feet tall and large tree trunks that have been moved to the curb.

But residents should not expect the Superstorm Sandy debris to be picked up in that form, officials said at this week's Borough Council meeting.

After the storm, the Department of Public Works and contractors went around to clear debris, and no other large pickups are planned, Public Works superintendent David Maines and members of the governing body said Monday.

While Madison did a substantial amount of storm debris removal after last year's Halloween snowstorm took down numerous branches, Sandy's winds uprooted entire trees.

Councilman Rob Catalanello said Madison offers the usual curbside debris pickup until Dec. 21. Residents can bundle their sticks or put them in trash containers if they are 3 inches in diameter or less.

"We would ask that all residents try to do that as best they can," he said.

Maines said there were two rounds of heavier debris pickup, though the second round did not give some residents enough time to bring out all of the debris.

"I've been telling people who have yard waste—please tie it up, barrel it, do anything to help us out, we're done," he said. "When I tell that to some people, they get a little out of control. And then I try to calm them down and they want to make phone calls and call the mayors and council members."

The Public Works Department is in the process of grinding thousands of cubic yards of debris currently.

Mayor Bob Conley said residents should be sure branches aren't mixed in with leaves at curbside, and residents should arrange to have larger debris removed on their own.

The Public Works yard waste page says

• Containers should have handles, not exceed 80 lbs, and materials cannot stick out more than 1 foot from the top of the container.
• Twigs and branches up to two inches in diameter, may be tied in 4 foot bundles, or put in reusable containers.
• Logs more than two inches in diameter must be cut to a maximum of three feet in length, and will be collected with the garbage.

More information about yard waste pickup is available on the RoseNet.org Yard Waste page.