'Very Dry Summer' Fast Tracks Leaf Collection In Westfield

WESTFIELD, NJ — Leaf collection in Westfield will begin two weeks earlier than usual this year.

"Leaves are falling earlier, we’ve had a very dry summer," said Town Administrator Jim Gildea at the Oct. 8 Council meeting.

Normally over the past few years leaf collection began during the first week in November, however, this year collection will begin during the week of Oct. 21.

Gildea said collection will begin with three areas in the north side of Town and three areas in the south side "that already have heavy leaves down."

"We want to try and get those up before any stormwater issues are caused by them," said Gildea.

Then sequential pickups will begin during the week of Oct. 28 starting with Zones 2 and 7.

The Town will also undergo another major change in regard to sweeping.

Instead of sweeping after leaf collection is over, Westfield will have its sweeper running with the leaf collection crew every day or every other day in areas that had leaves just collected.

"We found over the years that when we have wet leaves even when we clean up it's hard to get the wet leaves off the street and it doesn’t look like we’ve been there. So we want to make sure we correct that problem," said Gildea.

Residents can begin picking up free leaf bags starting Oct. 15 at the Conservation Center at 1300 Lamberts Mill Road. The center will also be open to the public to drop off leaves - which is three weeks earlier than normal.

"We are trying to get the leaves off the street as early as possible," said Gildea.

The last day leaves can be placed curbside is Dec. 6 and the anticipated last day for curbside collection is Dec. 14.

For more information on Westfield's Leaf Collection visit westfieldnj.gov/leafcollection.

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