Dear Eleanore Turkington:
I read your column every week and sometimes I see people complain about their leaves and branches, etc., that have been left behind after bulk pick up. Obviously, the city workers do not pick them up and I want to know why. Leaving this debris behind doesn’t do too much for a pleasant experience when driving through our city.
How can we reach the residents of West Haven to educate them on just what they can place out on the curb and when?
I have lived in West Haven many years, and I must admit, there has been quite an improvement. This tells me people here are beginning to care. Thanks Eleanore for your help.
Old Timer
Dear Old Timer:
In all fairness, we have to thank the residents who do care about their city. Perhaps it would help others a little bit if I published the city’s rules on bulk trash pickup today. Perhaps another time, I’ll list the other refuse requirements.
If you are going to place bulk trash out for pickup; the city collects bulk trash pickup four times a year on your scheduled curbside collection day in the second calendar week of the four designated bulk pickup months: March 5-9, June 4-8, Aug. 6-10 and Oct. 8-12
Now, if you have bulk items such as couches, chairs, mattresses, tables, carpet and padding, small amounts of bundled lumber and fencing, remember the lumber must be no longer than six feet and each bundle must weigh less than 60 pounds. If you have fencing to put out for pickup, it must be cut in half and stacked neatly in piles.
Most important, the amount of bulk is limited to 6 cubic yards per scheduled collection. This equals to a pile of trash 6 feet wide, 6 feet long and 4 and ½ feet high. Homeowners are required to rent a dumpster at their own expense if bulk waste exceeds 6 cubic yards.
Don’t place bulk items next to a mailbox or utility pole or close to a fence. Separate the bulk items, neat and orderly.
If you are going to place bulk waste, it must be generated by the customer at the residential unit where it is collected. This bulk waste won’t be collected if it is generated by anyone other than the resident of the home. Don’t place items in front of a vacant lot or home; they will not be collected.
Readers, I hope this information will be helpful. Gripe Vine receives many complaints relating to bulk pickup. Perhaps you could clip out this information and post it on your refrigerator for future reference.
Coming up: Cars parked on Connecticut Avenue gripe…trash on Colonial Blvd. on Honor Road side…Veteran’s Walk gripe..overgrown grass and weeds along sidewalk at train station…no lighting at entrance of Park Garden Apartments on Ellis Street…leaf pickup questions..beachside lots opening time complaint..broken down vehicle on Winslow Avenue.. pot hole on Derby Avenue..Dogwood Road pot holes..Bocce Court complaints…loud music at Allentown Flats…junk car parked on Roosevelt Avenue..broken clock on Alingtown Green..empty lot at Painter Drive gripe and much more.
You can send your complaints, comments and issues to gripevine4w@aol.com or mail them to Gripe Vine c/o West Haven Voice, 666 Savin Ave. You can also use our online form by clicking here. Please include your name, address and phone number kept in strict confidentiality with me.