RICHMOND, Va. -- If you've noticed leaves piling up on city streets it's because leaf collection is behind schedule. Sharon North with Richmond's Department of Public Utilities tells CBS 6 the recent snow and rain is slowing crews down.
The same vehicles that remove snow are the same vehicles that collect the leaves, according to North. In addition, the equipment required for snow removal has to be removed and changed for equipment used for leaf collection.
This isn't the first time the city's leaf collection program has been behind schedule because of inclement weather.
The program was delayed at least four times last year alone, North said.
Richmond resident Ray Chetti has a large yard with a lot of trees, he says it can be tough to keep up with.
“This is a wonderful neighborhood, but you have to be willing to do deal with the leaves” Chetti said.
Chetti’s yard alone holds more than 80 trees.
“I have a large leaf blower, in fact, I have three blowers,” Chetti said.
He always blows the leaves in his front yard into the culvert along his property line so the city can vacuum them when they do the neighborhood’s leaf pickups.
“Usually one in December, and one in January,” Chetti said.
Yet, this year the leaves remain in Chetti’s culvert at the end of February. In fact, leaves are piled up in the front of yard throughout his neighborhood.
“I think it`s a little unusual,” Chetti said.
North also said there is no funding budgeted for vacuum leaf collection, so the city reduced services department-wide in order to operate the program.
She said that happens every year, which was news to Chetti.
“I would think there would be something in the budget,” Chetti said.
Council Member Charles Samuels said upon learning about this discrepancy, he expects city council will look with scrutiny toward expenditures in the proposed budget.”
If you want to get rid of the leaves outside your home, there are three places around Richmond that you can drop them off.
- East Richmond Road Convenience Center
3800 East Richmond Rd. at Jennie Scher Rd.
Hours: 7:00a.m. - 4:30p.m. Monday thru Friday; and 9:00a.m. - 2:00p.m. Saturdays
Telephone: (804) 646-4706 - The "Powerline"
8600 Huguenot Rd. at NW corner of Chippenham Parkway
Hours: 8:00a.m. to 2:30p.m. Monday thru Friday - Maury Street Landfill
2900 Maury St.
Hours: 8:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. Monday thru Friday
If you plan on dropping off your leaves, please note the city will not accept leaves in bags. The city only accepts bagged leaves for curbside pickup.
