Tesoro Responds On Leaf Pickup Issue

TRUMBULL, CT — Democratic candidate for Trumbull first selectman Vicki Tesoro responded to questions about her position on Trumbull's leaf pickup program.

Currently Trumbull collects leaves by vacuuming piles near curbs. Most surrounding towns only offer bagged leaf pickup, typically at a substantially lower cost. Fairfield subcontracts bagged leaf pickup for $65,000 a year while Trumbull paid about $634,000 for its program, according to a 2015 town report. Fairfield had 20,227 households and 263 miles of road while Trumbull has 12,140 households and 206 miles of road.

"The leaf program is expensive, which is why it makes sense to consider alternatives," she said in a post on her campaign website. "That said, it’s just as important to consider the impact of any town-budget-tightening on the welfare and quality of life of our residents."

Tesoro said her comment at a first selectman debate about looking at the leaf pickup alternatives was just a suggestion. If elected she would establish a committee to evaluate options.

She noted that Trumbull has a tight budget year ahead and that there is still uncertainty from state legislatures about what cut if any Trumbull would have to bear.

Read Tesoro's full comments here.

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