Now that fall has arrived, the Municipality of Chatham-Kent’s Public Works Department is requesting the support of residents to help keep the streets, sidewalks, and catch basins clear of fallen leaves.
Public Works officials say the potential for street flooding is greatly increased when catch basins are clogged with leaves and debris.
Municipal by-law 117-2018 prohibits the sweeping or depositing of leaves along the gutter of the street or in the roadway.
“Please be sure to rake leaves away from catch basins near your house or business,” Public Works officials said in a media releae.
“If you notice that a catch basin is not functioning properly, or you feel that it is unsafe to rake the leaves from around the drain, please contact the Chatham-Kent Public Works Department for assistance. Please do not remove the grate from the catch basin.”
To prevent potential flooding issues in your neighborhood, residents are encouraged to collect and dispose of yard waste through one of the following ways:
– Whenever possible, mow over your leaves to create mulch. This will greatly reduce the amount of fallen leaves to clean up and help fertilize the lawn at the same time. Please do not blow or dispose of leaves on the municipal right-of-ways, as this can cause hazardous traffic conditions.
– Leaves and yard waste may be disposed of in plastic bags and set out with your regular trash for pick up. Please remember that these bags will count towards your three bag limit.
– The Municipality of Chatham- Kent owns and operates nine Leaf and Yard Depots located throughout the Municipality. These sites accept yard waste from residents each operating day.
– Residents that have yard service are asked to remind yard care providers that leaves must be placed in proper waste bins.
Certain neighborhoods will receive collection of yard waste by Public Works. If your address qualifies for pickup:
– Please have your brush and leaves at the curb no later than 7:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Loose brush must be piled in an orderly fashion and should not exceed 4 bundles of 5ft x 3ft x 3ft. Tree limbs must not exceed 5 inches in diameter.
– Do not mix items such as wood, brick or brush with the leaves as they can damage equipment or injure workers.
– Help our crews by removing cars from the street during leaf pickup.
The co-operation of residents and business owners is needed to efficiently complete these operations.
For more information on the Chatham-Kent Public Works Department and other municipal services, visit www.chatham-kent.ca or call 519-360-1998.
