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Yard Debris Pickup Schedule Coming To Port Richey

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By KLINT LOWRY | The Suncoast News

Published: September 16, 2008

Updated:

PORT RICHEY - Starting Oct. 1, the city's Public Works Department will conduct brush and yard debris pick-up on a regular schedule.

On Sept. 9, City Council gave its OK to the new schedule, designed to cover the city on a regular, systematic manner similar to how trash collection works.

"Hopefully, it will give us an ability to be a little more orderly and consistent and be more cost efficient," City Manager Richard Reade said in presenting the schedule.

Brush will be collected on the first and third Mondays of the month for properties north of the Cotee River and east of U.S. 19. Properties north of the Cotee River and west of U.S. 19 will get brush pick-up on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. All properties south of the Cotee River and west of U.S. 19 will get their brush picked up on the first and third Fridays of the month.

The Public Works Department has operated on an as-needed policy when it comes to brush clean-up, collecting the debris daily from all areas of the city and responding to calls from residents.

"One of the issues of making the schedule is, there've been several times when we'll pick up a street and the next day people will put stuff out," said public works foreman Sal Licari, who took the lead in creating the new schedule.

The need for an organized approach to brush pick-up was amplified after Tropical Storm Fay blew through in August. While the main body of the storm circled around Pasco County, the outer bands caused enough of a stir to knock down a fair share of fronds and branches throughout the city.

Reade explained the schedule was set up this way to allow for heavy post-storm workloads. For instance, crews could stay in the northeast section of town Monday, Tuesday and into the first part of Wednesday if need be without affecting service in other areas of town.

With this system, every street in town will be guaranteed regular service, while Public Works will save man-hours and fuel costs.

Under the new system, residents will know when to put out their brush and yard debris, just like they do with their household garbage. And just like with trash pickup, when holidays come along, Public Works will adjust to compensate.

Licari emphasized this is a working schedule, and could be adjusted if any inefficiencies are found after it's been in use for a while. He also pointed out in isolated emergencies like a fallen tree, exceptions will be made.

In the event of a widespread emergency like a major storm striking a bull's-eye on the city, Licari said Public Works will do whatever it takes to get things cleaned up regardless of the official schedule.

The new schedule will be posted on the city's Web site, www.copr.net>, and printed in the city's October newsletter.

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