Public Works Considers Yard Waste Collection Changes

Bob Wilpizeski, the Director, asked the borough’s Public Works Committee Monday if something could be done to change the current limb and yard waste collection services.

“This one aspect of public works is taking away from our other functions,” Wilpizeski said.  “What was originally meant to serve a small area has turned into a regional dumpsite.”

Currently, borough residents can take their yard waste and limbs to the borough’s public works building where the department will dispose of that waste.  However, Wilpizeski says that the program has grown out of hand.

“We can’t even park our cars in the parking lot on Mondays,” Wilpizeski said.  “The lot is too full with yard waste.  Workers have to spend time picking that stuff up just so we can park our cars.”

Wilpizeski estimates that his crews spend about 1700 man-hours per year on the borough’s yard waste collection services, and he would like to see those numbers reduced.  He even suggested eliminating the drop-off point completely.

“I don’t see any other way to do it,” borough council member Chuck Christy said.  “What are we going to do with that waste if we have nowhere to put it.”

“We created the program for the average West Chester home owner with average problems,” Wilpizeski said.  “Now, we have all sort of people dumping at our site.  Some people aren’t residents of the borough.  Some are contractors who get paid a hauling fee, and then they just drop it off with us for free.”

“I would like to make it the objective that an effective change is made by January.  We need to determine what’s a reasonable amount of service,” Wilpizeski added.