Burlington's Loose Leaf Collection Program Completed for 2019
*Please see below a media release issued by the City of Burlington.Burlington, Ont. — Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2019 — The City of Burlington’s Loose Leaf Collection Program has officially been completed for 2019. Residents with remaining leaves can bag them for the Halton Region’s Yard Waste Collection program that has been extended until Friday, Dec. 20, 2019.Leaf collection in Zones 1, 2 and 3 were completed.This year’s loose leaf collection had scheduling and operational problems due to challenging weather patterns that started with a very early snow storm on Nov. 11, freezing temperatures and precipitation. The machinery used cannot pick up frozen leaves. When the temperatures returned to normal, crews worked long hours to complete Zones 2 and 3 before the unfavourable weather returned.
"This was a challenging year. I would like to acknowledge all of the hard work our crews put in to collecting leaves and removing snow, as well as our admin staff. We can't collect leaves and remove snow at the same time and snow removal will always take priority. We are very aware of the challenges that rescheduling and cancelling leaf collection can mean for residents and we greatly appreciate all the residents who bagged their leaves and exercised patience and understanding. Our focus is now on clearing roads." — Mary Battaglia, Director of Roads, Parks and Forestry
In total, 10 days of loose-leaf collection were lost due to the weather.The City cannot do leaf collection and snow clearing at the same time because the same trucks are used for each service. The trucks need to have the leaf collection equipment removed and the plow blades and sand/salt spreading equipment attached.Service ReviewThe Province of Ontario has provided funding to municipalities and school boards throughout the province to conduct independent reviews to find efficiencies while protecting important front-line services. Loose Leaf Collection was one of the four City of Burlington services reviewed.The consultant’s final report will be delivered to the Province by Dec. 31, 2019.RELATED LINKS:
- Leaf Collection
- Statement from Burlington Mayor Meed Ward Regarding an Update on Leaf Collection Program
- City of Burlington is Ready for Winter
MAYOR MEED WARD'S TAKE:I want to thank City staff for working as hard as they did in continuing the leaf-collection program where they could and for shifting gears when the weather changed on a dime and they had to clear snow and ensure our roads and sidewalks were safe enough for use. I also want to thank the administrative staff for the city and in the councillors' and my office who fielded emails and phone calls from residents looking for updates on the program. Finally, I want to thank all the residents who were patient and understanding during this challenging year for our program, and those who bagged their leaves — and helped others who were not physically able to — for Regional collection.Council is reviewing the loose-leaf collection program and discussing it during budget this year to determine what resources and associated costs are required to provide the full service in light of unpredictable weather.--*Posted by John Bkila, the Mayor's Media and Digital Communications Specialist