Frequently Asked Questions about West Hartford's 2009 Leaf
Collection
QUESTIONS FROM RESIDENTS REGARDING LEAF COLLECTION
- How many trucks are going out?
The Town will start out with two collection crews and will ramp up with additional Town and contractual crews as needed. Each crew will include a truck, a driver and two laborers.
- Will there be additional trucks as leaf bags increase?
Yes. It is expected that during peak periods some refuse collection areas may need as many as 8 crews or more in the field to collect leaf bags.
- What happens when I get a skip tag?
Collection crews will skip any bags that are contaminated with branches, trash, rocks. They will also skip any bags that weigh more than 60 pounds or which contain more than 50% grass clippings. Those bags will be marked with an X and will no longer be eligible for curbside collection. They will also be left with a skip tag explaining why the bag or bags were skipped.
- Who do we call when we are skipped?
You may call the Public Works Department at 561-8100 between 8 AM and 4 PM.
- Are you using any part time help?
Yes. We will be using seasonal help as laborers to assist with collecting the bag collection.
- How do we find out if they are falling behind in the collection?
Residents will have several sources to refer to regarding the status of the collection, including the Town web site (www.westhartford.org), WHC-TV and the Public Works leaf line (570-3714). Those sites will be updated daily as needed with information on any delays or revisions to the schedule.
- If they miss me will they come back the next day or do I wait until the next week?
It depends. If your bags were skipped and your bags were not marked or left with a skip tag, then we will try to get the bags the same day if possible, or by the end of business on the following business day. If however, your bags were skipped because of contamination or because they were overweight, the crews will not be back until the following week.
- I have too many leaves to bag. What can I do?
You have several options. You can collect your leaves in a trailer or pickup truck and bring your leaves to the Town Recycling Center on Brixton Street. You can hire a landscape contractor to collect and transport your leaves to the Town Recycling Center. Consider hiring youngsters in the neighborhood to bag your leaves or utilizing a mulching mower to reduce your leaf volume. Remember, you have 10 weeks to complete the task. If you are elderly or have a physical disability(s), there are several groups that may be available to assist with bagging their leaves. Check the Town website
or on WHC-TV for more information.
- Why do I have to pay for my contractor to bring them to the recycling center?
Town residents can always dispose of their leaves at no charge. However, contractors are businesses that must pay to dispose of their leaves. The Town tried a voucher system for the past several years, but the system was abused and became too costly and unmanageable.
- What is the cost to bring leaves to the Recycling Center?
There is no cost to residents who bring their own leaves to the Town Recycling Center, whether loose or in bags. Residents who deliver leaves to the Recycling Center in plastic bags, however, will have to dump the leaves and take the plastic bags with them. Plastic bags are not recyclable. The disposal rates for a contractor dumping your leaves is posted on Enviro-Cycle’s web site, http://www.envirocyclellc.com/
- What happens if I put my leaves on the street?
Residents who place leaves or leaf bags in the street will be issued a written warning to keep their leaves out of the street. Leaves in the street pose a hazard to traffic, clog storm drains and snowplowing operations. Residents who refuse to comply may be subject to a ticket and a fine for each day that the leaves remain in the street.
- I bagged my leaves but my neighbor doesn’t what can I do?
Residents are not required to bag their leaves in the fall. As long as leaves are not piled in the street or blocking a sidewalk, there is no action that the DPW can take. Property maintenance issues should be reported to the Health District at 561-7900.
- My bags broke when they were getting picked up, who cleans them up if they are not picked up on time?
The DPW will clean up bags and leaves that are spilled through any negligence on its part. Bags broken because they weigh over 60 pounds, are filled with contaminated materials or otherwise improperly presented will have to be cleaned up by the resident or property owner. Also, bags put out after the collection period is ended are the responsibility of the resident to deliver to the Recycling Center.
- Can I put weeds in the bags?
Weeds are treated the same grass clippings. Bags with excessive amounts of weeds will be tagged and skipped.
- Is there a weight limit for leaf bags?
Yes. Bags can weigh no more than 60 pounds. Bags weighing more than 60 pounds will be tagged and skipped.
- Can I put branches in the bags?
No. Branches should be brought to the recycling center for disposal.
- Can I use the biodegradable plastic bags?
No. The only acceptable bag is a 30-gallon biodegradable paper bag. Plastic bags may be brought to the Recycling Center, but you will have to empty them and take them home with you and dispose of them in the trash.
- I have a Friday trash day can I put the leaf bags out on Sunday?
Yes. Bags can be placed at the curb as they are filled.
- What are the beginning and ending dates for the leaf collection?
The start date is October 13th and the last collection day is December 18th .
- Where can I purchase the bags?
The Town website has a list of local retailers who carry leaf bags.
- Do we have to pay for the bags or does the town?
Homeowners are responsible for providing their own bags.
- What happens if we still have full bags and the leaf program is over? How do I get rid of my leaf bags?
Bagged leaves and other yard waste can be dropped off year-round at the Town Recycling Center on 25 Brixton Street. Check the town website for hours of operation.
- Is there a list of contractors that I can use to pick up my leaves?
There will be a registry of vacuum collection contractors available on the town web-site. The registry does not represent an endorsement of these contractors by the Town of West Hartford. It is provided as contact information for the convenience of West Hartford residents provided by vendors willing to perform this service.
- Can I rake my leaves to the curb until I have time to bag them or have my contractor bag them?
Leaves may be left on the lawn or the tree belt (the area between the sidewalk and the curb if you have sidewalks), not in the road, while waiting to be bagged or collected by a contractor. Leaves piled in the road will be subject to a written warning and fine if not removed from the road.
- What happens if it snows?
Public Works will use media sources to notify the public if the collection is suspended due to weather conditions. Many of the same personnel performing the leaf collection also perform snowfighting operations. Collection will resume as soon as conditions and staffing will allow.
- My leaf bags are covered in snow. Do I have to uncover them?
If your bags are not visible to the collection crew then you must uncover them. The best practice, if possible, is to remove your bags from the curbside before a pending snowstorm and snowplowing operation to prevent them from becoming buried in snow.
- What happens if my neighbor puts his leaves in the street and it snows then they are plowed into my driveway. Who is responsible for cleaning up the mess up?
Unfortunately in this scenario, you as the property owner will be responsible for the cleanup on your driveway, sidewalk or property . This situation is a civil matter between you and your neighbor that the town can not get involved with. However, the town will have a compliance officer checking for leaves piled in the street. Property owners who pile leaves in the street will be subject to a warning and a fine if they do not remove the leaves from the street.
- Will there be someone going around letting people know they have to bag if their leaves are in the ROW or the street?
Yes. The town will have a compliance officer checking for leaves piled in the street. Property owners who pile leaves in the street will be subject to a warning and then a fine if they do not remove their leaves from the street.
- What happens if the stores run out of bags? How do we get rid of our leaves?
It is highly unlikely that the list of retailers listed on the town web site will all run out of bags. The DPW has contacted all the retailers listed on the website to make them aware of the change in collection that will result in a significant increase in demand for leaf bags and most of them stated that their suppliers would be able to respond to this demand. However, in the event this does occur, residents can deliver their leaves to the recycling center, either loose , in barrels or in plastic bags. Plastic bags will have to be emptied however as they are not recyclable. Residents can also hire a landscaper to dispose of their leaves.
- Can I use my brown bags that I get from the grocery store?
No. Only 30-gallon biodegradable bags will be accepted.
- My neighbor’s leaf bags were taken but mine were missed. Who do I call? When will they be picked up?
First check to see if you were issued a skip notice for your bags. Are any of your bags marked with an “X,” or do you have a skip tag on your door handle. Also, make sure your bags are out by 6 am on your refuse collection day. Bags set out after the collection crews have passed by will be collected the following week through December 18th. If you still feel your bags were missed, please contact Public Works at 561-8100.
