Cape's cleanup starting on south side

Public works crews are cleaning up storm damage starting at the city of Cape Girardeau's south side.

Tim Gramling, director of public works, said the whole process will take at least a month, assuming more storm damage does not occur.

People need to get debris to the curbside, he said, and call public works at 334-9151 to get on a priority list. Only one storm-related pickup will be made at each home, he said.

In addition to putting limbs and other yard waste near the street, residents have the option of hauling debris to the city's transfer station 2500 S. Sprigg St. Transfer station hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. (Sprigg Street is closed between Southern Expressway and Cape LaCroix Creek; enter off Kingshighway.)

Residents may also haul limbs to the city's compost holding area, at 453 Cooper St., from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Jackson residents, among the hardest hit by last week's ice storm, will get help in removing debris.

The help is limited to those already on the city's weekly trash collection service. They can put storm waste at the curb.

This includes broken tree limbs, brush and other yard waste created by the ice storm.

The city's street crews will begin picking it up between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, until further notice.

Only one collection will be made in each neighborhood.

The debris must be put within 10 feet of the street pavement or curb line. Major streets are considered top priority for debris removal.

What the city won't collect:

• Building materials
• trees or tree limbs, brush or yard waste intentionally cut down or trimmed by the property owner in the interest of aesthetics
• Debris from additional tree-trimming or tree-topping is not part of this recovery program

The city's Recycling Center, at 508 Eastview Court, is also available for customers who want to dispose of the debris immediately, 8 a.m. t 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. No charges to residents apply to this disposal, but all commercial contractors and haulers pay $25 per load. Cash and local checks will be accepted.

A second collection center is at the North Industrial Park site, on North High Street (U.S. 61 North) for both residents and commercial contractors. Chipped material will be left separately at this site. Hours at this site are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily from Saturday through March 2. City officials will evaluate hours after that.

Only debris from within Jackson city limits can be brought to the two sites; city officials will track origins. The sites are monitored by the Jackson Police Department during off hours.

City officials ask residents to be patient as work crews move through neighborhoods.

City crews will attempt to pick up a majority of the storm debris from the curbside. Property owners should be prepared to complete final cleanup of their yards.

For details, call Jackson Public Works Department at 243-2300.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127