New Policy For West Hartford Leaf Collection This Fall

Chrissy wrote:

I am curious to know what the fees are going to have the leaves picked up by a contractor.

Mr P wrote:

<quoted text> Good question, as well as where are we supposed to pile them for some 5 to 6 weeks so that the contractor only has to come once. Where I live we do not have sidewalks or aprons just a black curb along the road so the contractor will need to come down the driveway some 200 feet to get to my mile high pile. I can't get a quote because there is no way to tell what the volume will be and if bad weather then no pick up.
I sure hope this new bag policy works but I'm sure it will be another mess that our Town Council decided without all the facts as usual.
By The way, I'm told our Public Works crews will be responsible for picking up these bags during this 13 week period. What were they doing before this change? Can and will they keep up? My garbage day is Friday if they can't come by for the leaf bags on my garbage day what happens for the weekend, do they just sit there getting wet and weighing twice as much?
Stay tuned for what I'm sure will be a not so pretty fall season in good old WH. I envision one heck of a mess here on the mountain if Public Works isn't prepared or the weather dosen't cooperate.

stan wrote:

IT IS TIME FOR A "TEA LEAF" PARTY!! OF ALL THE PLACES TO CUT SERVICES. TAXES GO UP AND WE HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS MORE TO GET OUR LEAVES PICKED UP??? IS ANYONE ELSE UPSET?? let me know at stanrdpm@comcast.net

WHR wrote:

Where were you when, during the heat of the budget battle, all of the critics of the "high tax increase" mentioned the leaf pickup as an area to cut.....not so smart NOW are they???
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Big Jim wrote:

<quoted text>I believe you are a bit confused WHR. Only speaking for myself & a couple neighbors & friends that are all long time WH residents, yes we were critics of the never ending large property tax increases year after year and as we know mostly to fund payroll and benefits. Please don't missunderstand we are not for any reduction in services. Changing leaf pick up from a contracted vacuum service to bag pick up by Public Works is rediculous. We had vacuum service twice during the fall period only to have it reduced to once only a couple years ago and the DEM's & our Mayor have the gall to say that it was more difficult for residents because the trees don't all drop at the same time. That's why it was done twice.
What's wrong with using existing equipment & personal that we pay dearly for to the the job as we did some years ago. I saw a large "Town" truck with the vacuum set-up recently doing exactly what we eliminated. I guess bagging only apply's to residents and not the Town.
It's hard to admit it, but what we spend on education for results that leave a lot to be desired, is a terrible shame. It appears we have more special staff positions (and growing) than we do qualified teahers.
We need change, VOTE Republican but not for Davidoff a Dem in disguise.

Jake wrote:

Well, here we are into the leaf "pickup" season. It seems that they are a little lax on the pickup ALREADY!!! I put out 10 bags, stuffed appropriately and put out a day before my normal pickup. Much to my dismay the bags were not picked up as promised. When I called they stated "they must not have been put out in time"... They stated there was not a skip ticket and had no explanation for the missed pickup. That is all BS!!! All the other neighbors were picked up and now there are going to be bags in the front of my yard for a week because they do not feel the need to come get them. Way to go WH!!... oh.. Maybe my tax payment will be a little late this year.. oh wait, there is a penalty for being late on my end, but that is the tax money that pays for this ..umm.. service... Let's hope it gets better organized..

DWR wrote:

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THIS IS RIDICULOUS - OUR TAXES ARE SKY HIGH IN THIS TOWN, OUR REAL ESTATE VALUES ARE IN THE TANK, THE SERVICES KEEP GETTING CUT, WE HAVE TO PAY THESE CRIMINAL 'PROPERTY TAXES' AND NOW AS A FINAL INSULT, THEY TAKE AWAY LEAF COLLECTION TO SAVE SOME CASH!! PLEASE - IT IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER TO LIVE HERE