2012 Town and Country Yard Waste Plan Free For Residents

aldermen voted to adopt a

The yard waste removal will include, leaves, branch clippings and branches, but they have to be cut down. Unlike in past years, residents cannot drag entire branches to the edge of their driveway to be removed, this year the limbs must be cut down.

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The vote came after a discussion of the plan that was developed by the city's Public Works and Stormwater Commission, Alderman Tim Welby and Town and Country Department of Public Works Director Craig Wilde.

The service will be provided by each resident's current waste hauler which includes Allied, Meridian or Waste Management.

However, Alderman Phil Behnen, who voted against adopting the yard waste plan, did not think the current plan was the best solution.

"If we really want to solve the problem, I think we should require haulers to offer yard waste. I don't think a four week pick-up is the answer," Behnen said prior to the vote Monday night.

However, for the sake of getting a program in place in enough time to notify residents, other aldermen supported and passed the plan.

"It was debated and discussed very heavily in the public works commission," Welby said. "It's pretty much this or nothing to get everything accomplished in all four wards this year."

Welby recently explained that for 2012 the city had $50,000 for the branch clipping program and this plan is what he, Wilde, the commission and the city's waste haulers created as the best solution.

"It's trying to bring back a service within our means," Mayor Jon Dalton stated.

Alderman Skip Mange suggested trying the plan for one year and if the city doesn't like it, it can be changed next year.

Other aldermen also hoped this new plan would make residents more aware of the proper way to dispose of yard waste, particularly those who are not doing so already.

Welby hoped residents would recognize somewhat of a "yard waste awareness month" in November. 

"Maybe people who wouldn't normally do it will take advantage, or they should take advantage of it," Welby said.

Alderman Fred Meyland-Smith agreed.

"It has a number of improvements from what we've done in the past," Meyland-Smith said. "Not everyone will particpate, but there may be a halo effect where more people will become conscientious about yard waste."

Meyland-Smith said there was no sense in delaying the vote since the city needs to get the information out in the city's newsletter.

"The longer it takes to pass the ordinance, the more it compresses the amount of time we have to educate the public," Wilde stated prior to Monday night's vote.

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