A pile of leaves wait to be picked up along North Harrison Street in Warsaw. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union.

By David Slone
Times-Union

WARSAW — When Warsaw Councilwoman Diane Quance left for dinner Thursday, Nov. 2, piles of leaves were all along her road. When she returned, they were gone.

“So I know you’re already working overtime,” she told Street Department Assistant Superintendent Joe Vetor at the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Friday, Nov. 3.

Vetor confirmed the fall leaf pick-up has started.

“We’re going to be full force starting on Monday and we’ll probably be staying late until it’s all cleaned up,” he said.
Quance said she really appreciated their efforts.

Mayor Joe Thallemer asked Vetor if there was anything he wanted to stress to the public about leaf pick-up.

“Just watch where you’re parking. A lot of times they’ll put leaf piles on the edge of the road and then park their cars right in front of them so we can’t get to it. So just be mindful of where you’re putting the leaf piles is our biggest concern,” Vetor said.

Utility Superintendent Brian Davison said the leaf piles should not be put in the road, especially the gutter line, because they will plug the storm drains.

“Keep them on the grass” and behind the curb, Thallemer said.

Vetor said leaf pick-up season has started and next week they will start working until dark to make sure they get all the piles. How long the leaves fall off the trees will determine how long the pick-up season goes.

“We follow the trash routes, so if their trash day is on a Monday, then that’s when we’re going to be there to pick up leaves,” Vetor stated.

If Monday’s route is heavy and the leaf pick-ups aren’t completed, then two trucks will be sent out Tuesday to finish up Monday’s route and move on.

“It’s loose leaf pick-up now so they don’t need to be bagged anymore,” Vetor said.

Quance said branches and limbs should be separated from the leaves.