Yard Debris Pickup On Fixed Schedule

Starting Oct. 1, the city's Public Works Department will conduct brush and yard debris pickup on a regular schedule.

On Sept. 9, the city council approved the new schedule, designed to cover the city on a regular, systematic manner similar to how trash collection works.

"Hopefully, it will give us an ability to be a little more orderly and consistent and be more cost efficient," City Manager Richard Reade said in presenting the schedule.

Brush will be collected on the first and third Monday of the month for properties north of the Cotee River and east of U.S. 19. Properties north of the Cotee River and west of U.S. 19 will get brush pickup on the first and third Wednesday of the month. All properties south of the Cotee River and west of U.S. 19 will get their brush picked up on the first and third Friday of the month.

The Public Works Department has operated on an as-needed policy when it comes to brush cleanup, collecting the debris daily from all areas of the city and responding to calls from residents.

"One of the issues of making the schedule is, there've been several times when we'll pick up a street and the next day people will put stuff out," said public works foreman Sal Licari, who took the lead in creating the new schedule.

The need for an organized approach to brush pickup amplified after Tropical Storm Fay blew through in August. While the main body of the storm circled around Pasco County, the outer bands caused enough of a stir to knock down a fair share of palm fronds and branches throughout the city.

Reade explained the schedule was set up this way to allow for heavy post-storm workloads. For instance, crews could stay in the northeast section of town Monday, Tuesday and into the first part of Wednesday if need be without affecting service in other areas of town.

With this system, every street in the city will be guaranteed regular service, while Public Works will save man-hours and fuel costs.

Under the new system, residents will know when to put out their brush and yard debris, just like they do with their household garbage. And just like with trash pickup, when holidays come along, the Public Works Department will adjust.

Licari emphasized this is a working schedule, and could be adjusted if any inefficiencies are found after it's been in use. He also said that in isolated emergencies, exceptions will be made.

In the event of a widespread emergency such as a major storm striking a bull's-eye on the city, Licari said Public Works will do whatever it takes to get things cleaned up regardless of the official schedule.

The new schedule will be posted on the city's Web site, www.copr.net.