One month after Hurricane Sandy devastated forestry in Colts Neck, several acres of leaves and trees have been picked up from the streets of the township.
Colts Neck Committeeman Thomas Orgo, also a local farmer, said spreading the brush flat at one foot thick would yield nine acres of leaves, sticks and tree trunks.
That's 392,040 square feet, or 14 cubic yards. This means Colts Neck yielded more than 8 square city blocks of brush, in just one month.
The township has hired three outside contractors to aid the Public Works Department in the cleanup.
Guidelines for pick-up:
- Brush must be parallel to the curb, and no more than three feet from the curb.
- Brush cannot be placed too close to intersections or corners of roads. Placing brush in site-triangles poses a danger to drivers.
- Trunks and branches can be no more than 12 inches in diameter.
- Brush must be cut in lengths no greater than 8 feet.
- No stumps will be accepted.
The township anticipates a Dec. 15 end-date, weather permitting. Mayor Jarrett Engel said the township is working with residents who may be on a waiting list to have yards cleaned up by independent landscapers.
While the department is picking up some leaves as debris is cleared, leaf collection will resume as normal after storm debris is gone, weather and time permitting.