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Discuss Leaf Collection and Mulch Program Alternatives
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BACKGROUND SUMMARY:
On March 21, 2022, Council held a public hearing to gather input from interested residents regarding the leaf collection and mulch program. As a result of this public hearing, the Council expressed the desire to hold a conference session to request additional information and for further discussion before deciding on potential changes to the leaf collection and mulch operations.
For our current leaf collection program, residents rake leaves to the edge of the street. The Town uses three separate crews, each consisting of four employees (driver and three laborers) and a leaf loader trailing behind a tandem truck equipped with a leaf box to vacuum up the leaves. Other employees and equipment such as a supervisor, loader operator, and loader are also used.
The leaves are collected until the end of December and stored at the Beulah Road site. We ground about 1/2 of what we collected in January this year and delivered to residents and one out-of-Town business throughout January, February, and March. The remaining 1/2 were delivered to Loudoun Composting. In the past, we paid no dump fee. Last year we paid $9 per ton, and this year the price has jumped to $30 per ton.
The Town engaged NewGen Strategies and Solutions, LLC to evaluate the Town's Leaf Collection Program and look at costs for the existing program, a short-haul alternative, and a long-haul alternative. The short-haul option eliminates mulch delivery while the long-haul option eliminates mulch delivery and the need to use the Beulah Road site. This report and presentation are attached with the conference session agenda.
Staff has also met with a town resident, who has offered his time and skills, to collaborate with staff to run various cost scenarios for long-haul leaf collection options. Also attached to this agenda is the resident's analysis which Town staff has reviewed and finds reasonable.
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