West Hartford, we are bagging our leaves this year.
Please get over it.
Yeah, yeah, yeah, we know it costs a homeowner a little more money now if they have to hire someone to suck up their leaves, or rake and bag the leaves for them, but can anyone honestly say that the previous leaf pickup program worked?
It didn't.
We still had leaves in the street when the snow and ice came.
They came to pick up leaves when the leaves were still on the trees or when we hadn't had time to go and rake them to the curb.
And as a program, it was a costly headache to the town and the taxpayers.
Over a million dollars and we only got one pass through.
WHTalk can safely say that the leaf sucking program sucked.
What I am happy to see is that organizations like the Cub Scouts have stepped up to the plate to help homeowners. Various landscapers are offering services as well. There is new business competition for leaf removal services which also tends to keep prices for that service in check.
It may have cost less per home when the Town (and your taxes) paid for it - but it was crappy service. Now you pay for leaf pick-up that is when you need it and done right.
From the latest Council Briefs:
Leaf Collection off to a good start: As of October 26, the Department of Public Works has collected 22,375 leaf bags. Four crews have been working Monday through Friday in each refuse collection area and are on schedule. The bagged leaf collection will continue through December 18. The Recycling Center will be open on Saturdays from 8 AM to 4 PM during leaf collection season for residents wishing to dispose of their leaves (free of charge). Residents who are using a landscaper may obtain a voucher to exempt them for the cost of disposal on the DPW web site, at the DPW facility, the Town Hall Customer Service Desk, and at the two senior centers. Vouchers are valid through December 18.
So West Hartford - please stop complaining.
Leaf collection from the town is not happening this year, and with any luck it won't be re-instated ever.
3 WH Responses:
"So West Hartford - please stop complaining.
Leaf collection from the town is not happening this year, and with any luck it won't be re-instated ever."
Why, WHTalk, you independent thinker, you. This does not sound like the party line of the Republican town council slate. Are you saying that you hope/expect that the Republican council candidates will break their campaign promise on this issue? Alternatively, are you suggesting that we should consider casting our council votes on tuesday for the D's?
Talk of West Hartford seems to forget that the expensive million dollar + leaf collection has been haulted, but, the taxpayers are still paying for it - without the service.
You see, the only way this program would work to the benefit of the taxpayer would be if the town gave back the money to the taxpayers. We are still being taxed at the same rate without the service, while those that purchase bags or private contractors are essentially paying a further tax above and beyond paying for no leaf collection services.
The incumbent Dems and most certainly do not deserve to get voted back in due to this glitch among their tax and spend policies.
The issue of "restoring leaf collection" is not so much about "Restoring" it, so much as "Restoring" back the taxes collected for it to the taxpayers. Either restore the program or give back the money to the taxpayers to purchase their own program.
Kevin - WHTALK suggests that you vote for whoever you want to vote for.
What WHTALK hopes for is some sane and sustainable fiscal policies to emerge from the Council and BOE that is seated after the election. They need to seriously stop taxing and spending like they have been doing, and while we have received a bit of a reprieve in an election year with regard to taxation, let's hope that this next Council can be more sympathetic to the economic plight of the citizens they are supposed to represent.
The best policy is efficient, smaller less costly government as it attracts business and families here. What we are also in dire need of are representatives to the State government which will fight against increased state mandates and higher state costs. Our delegation has done little to help municipalities - especially our own - to contain costs.
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