HOPEWELL TOWNSHIP: Yard rubbish rules expected to change

By John Tredrea, Special Writer
   A proposed ordinance amending Hopewell Township regulations on yard waste pickup was introduced by the Township Committee Monday night, according to township Clerk Laurie Gompf.
   A public hearing and adoption vote are slated for the March 26 meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m.
   If adopted, placement of yard waste would be permitted up to the edge of the pavement or the inside of the curb on streets without sidewalks.
   Prohibited would be the placement of yard waste on a sidewalk or anywhere that obstructs safe sight distances for streets or driveways.
   In addition, yard waste would have to be placed on the “frontage of the tax lot from which the waste originated.”
   The proposed amendment also would change scheduling of pickup of yard waste.
   Under the existing ordinance, yard waste is not picked in July, August, November and December. Under the amendment, the yard waste pickup schedule would be determined annually and published at the earliest possible date on the township’s website and municipal calendar.
   Special instructions would be posted on the website by the township’s public works director if pickups need to be added due to storm damage.
   The proposed ordinance also would prohibit placement of brush within 10 feet of any storm drain inlet.
   All wires, nails and metal would have to be removed from any yard waste.
   Small twigs would have to be bagged. The maximum size pile the township would pickup would be 4 feet wide by 4 feet high by 15 feet long.
   Piles larger than that would be the responsibility of the homeowner.
   Tree limbs could be no longer than 4 feet under the proposed ordinance, and be no more than 6 inches in diameter. The limbs of the tree butts would have to face the road.
   Diseased material, firewood and brush mixed with leaves would not be collected under the proposal.