Good morning, Eileen,
Hope you enjoyed a good weekend - and thanks for the questions.
Question 1: yes, you're correct we already encourage residents to bag leaves, and some do - however, we have never done an accounting of that, or have taken more steps to encourage it, which have many benefits. Therefore, I would like to improve our communications
and evaluations by : 1) Putting out a survey to help gauge how many residents would consider bagging, or already do. 2) To create an incentive for residents to do it - perhaps the borough subsidizing the bags (at least the first year). Benefits to bagging
leaves are:
- No large piles of leaves in the roads obstructing traffic
- No storm drains clogging and flooding
- less to no overtime for staff - pick up is done like recycling.
Of course, this practice with be part of a broader plan to improve our leave collection practice. Some other measures I am looking at are:
- Continue to support and help get the word out for the EC's "leave the leaves" campaign which began last year (I do this
🙂)
- Discuss means to compact leaves (purchase tub grinder/ locate another municipality to share with, or other methods) - we basically haul away and pay for "air". When leaves are ground or bagged, they are compressed and much more cost effective.
- Work with DPW dept. heads to create a clear and practical pick up schedule around the borough.
Question 2: Currently our DPW director is interim. When we hired Maser for the job it was with the understanding that they would help get the DPW in order until we seek a permanent replacement. For the past 8 months we have had the pleasure of working
with Bob Culvert; however, as I stated, working with him is only temporary. When I say, "we're on top of it" simply means that we are keenly aware of the situation, and will alert the community when we are seeking a new director; it will be public knowledge
and an open RFQ.
Thanks, again, for your questions and interest. Always feel free to reach out - we are all in this together.
Kind regards,
Amy
From: Eileen Hillock <[email address]>
Sent: Sunday, August 2, 2020 1:31 PM
To: Amy Martin <[email address]>
Cc: Lenora Benjamin <[email address]>; Kristine Morieko <[email address]>
Subject: (2) Outstanding Questions from 7/29 FB post
Good Afternoon Amy,
Following up on your posting to a recent thread on the Glen Rock for All FB page.
1) Amy, per the Borough website, residents already have the option, and in fact are encouraged, to bag their leaves for collection. So in essence, a voluntary program already exists. Other than the Borough providing bags, what's different about the pilot
Leaf Bagging program? Thanks.
2). What does it mean when you said we are “on top of it” related to the DPW Director position that’s been open since January. Has the position been posted yet? If not, why not? If so, when was it posted?
Thank you,
Eileen Hillock
30 Edgemont Road