FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR CONTACT: Michael Veitch (518) 545-8652
April 9, 2020
DPW Activating Lawn and Leaf Debris Pickup Crews
Provides COVID-19 Pickup Guidelines for Essential Employee Safety
Saratoga Springs, NY – Commissioner Anthony “Skip” Scirocco and Deputy Commissioner Joseph J. O’Neill announced today that the Department of Public Works will activate essential employees for lawn and leaf debris pickup effective Monday, April 13, 2020. The essential crews will work until lawn debris is cleared throughout the city, but assistance from the public is requested to ensure employee safety in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Essential employees will work in two-person crews with one employee each in a DPW truck and loader. This work setup requires public compliance with the following pickup guidelines.
- Limbs should be cut into sections 3 feet or smaller
- Large branches should be broken into smaller 3-foot sections
- Paper lawn debris bags are acceptable
- Plastic containers/ barrels should be emptied into piles in the street for pickup
- Keep debris piles away from storm drains, please keep drains clear
- Debris piles should be organized and manageable (see attached photo)
Commissioner Scirocco said, “Please take a moment to review these guidelines that will provide a safe work environment for our essential employees working during the COVID-19 pandemic. Clearing the right of way of lawn debris will ensure that emergency vehicles can safely pass through streets and prevent stormwater drains from clogging.” He added, “it’s also a reminder that your DPW services are still here and there will be a return to normalcy once this passes.”
DPW estimates that a complete pickup of the city under these conditions will take approximately two and a half weeks.
“We’re focused on providing services to the public during this time but we also want to keep our employees safe through these pickup guidelines and social distancing protocols,” said Deputy O’Neill.
Residents with questions can contact DPW dispatch at 518-584-3356.