Princeton Township toughens rules for leaf, brush collection

Ordinances approved for construction of sidewalks.

By: Rachel Silverman
   Princeton Township approved a leaf-, brush- and log-collection program Monday night that will mean some sweeping changes for homeowners.
   "Too many years have gone by without a good road-maintenance program," Public Works Superintendent Don Hansen said. "I thought it would be a good idea to pick up these leaves and brush on a timely and set schedule."
   The new ordinance imposes specific size requirements for piles of leaves, branches and logs, and directs where these items should be placed on collection days.
   According to the new rules, loose leaves must be placed on the paved roadway itself in piles that extend no more than 3 feet into the roadway from the curb or edge of the road and no closer than 10 feet from a storm sewer inlet. Bagged leaves, on the other hand, should be deposited in biodegradable bags on the grass near the edge of the curb — but not on the curb itself.
   "There is no perfect science when we did this," Mr. Hansen said, referring to the cases in which debris will be placed in the roadway. "We didn’t want to damage property or curbing."
   The leaf- and brush-collection program also calls for mandatory landscaper registration and neighborhood pickup schedules based on what section of the township one resides in.
   Throughout the discussion, some township residents voiced skepticism over Mr. Hansen’s plan.
   "I think you’ve made a valiant effort," Philip Drive resident Mary Blair said. "I still think it’s unenforceable. I hope we revisit this next year if it doesn’t work."
   Henry Frank, a resident of Valley Road, also expressed concern. "I agree with most of the stuff that’s in this ordinance," he said. "But to me, putting leaves and brush and logs on the road is a big mistake."
   Mr. Hansen acknowledged there may be some wrinkles to work out. "It’s going to be an education, not only to the Public Works Department, but also to the citizens of Princeton," he said. "If need be, we have the option to bring it back and amend it."
   In addition to the leaf- and brush-collection ordinance, the committee approved three general improvement ordinances Monday night, all of which affect the neighborhood between the Princeton Shopping Center and Franklin Avenue.
   • Installation, repair and replacement of sidewalks along Grover Avenue between Franklin Avenue and a point roughly 250 feet north of Clearview Avenue. The project is estimated to cost $42,000, half of which will be paid by the homeowners and the other half by the township.
   • Construction of sidewalks along both sides of Clearview Avenue over its entire length between Grover Avenue and Harrison Street. The Clearview proposal is estimated at $70,000, which the township and residents will split 50-50.
   • Installation of Belgium-block curbing on both sides of Dorann Avenue. The project will cost $26,000, the entire sum of which will be paid by the property owners, with the exception of a few specified intersections and storm sewer inlets.
   The committee also introduced a fourth ordinance related to the neighborhood Monday night, a resolution that will be voted on April 4. It is a general improvement plan for Tee-Ar Place that would enhance lighting, plant canopy trees, reduce traffic and install sidewalks on the eastern side of the street.
   Finally, the committee adopted an $18,400 resolution to install sidewalks along the southern end and westerly side of Carnahan Place, as well as the corner of Henry Avenue and Guyot Avenue, with the cost evenly split between property owners and the township.