Jackson gives details on debris removal program

Jackson sent out a news release today giving the details of the debris removal program the city began this week.

The information below is lifted straight from the press release.

For residential customers hit by last week's ice storm, the City is providing assistance in helping to remove storm debris from damaged properties. This service is being offered for residential properties normally receiving the City's weekly trash collection service. Effective immediately, residents are welcomed to place storm debris at curbside for City collection. The debris must be pushed to the street curbside by the property owners in order for the City to pick it up. Beginning today, Street Department crews will be collecting the storm debris during regular business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 A.M. until 5:00 P.M., until further notice. Residents will receive only one collection of their storm debris and there will be no return trips.

Storm debris is defined as tree limbs, brush and yard waste which were downed by the ice storm. For a limited time only, the City will collect storm debris only after the property owner has pushed it to within ten (10) feet of the street pavement or curb line. Storm debris does not include building materials, nor does it include trees or tree limbs, brush or yard waste which was not damaged by the ice storm, but 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.

Although there is not a definitive collection schedule, the City will be clearing storm debris on a priority basis with the major streets being among the first to receive debris removal. This will help keep the primary transportation routes in Jackson open to traffic.

There are two alternatives to placing debris curbside for collection. First, the City offers a collection point near the Recycling Center for those customers wishing to immediately dispose of their storm debris. Customers may bring it to the Recycling Center located at 508 Eastview Court during normal business hours Monday through Saturday. There is no charge for bringing the material to the Recycling Center for disposal. Second, the City has opened another collection point in the North Industrial Park site located on North High Street (Highway 61 North) for both residents and commercial contractors wanting to dispose of yard waste. Chipped material will be collected separately at the same location. Both of these collection points are available only for debris from within Jackson city limits. The origin of debris will be tracked by City officials and must be provided before any truckload will be accepted. There will be no charge for residents, but a fee of $25.00 per load will be charged to all commercial contractors and haulers. Cash and local checks are accepted at the site. The hours of operation for drop offs at the industrial site is 6:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. daily through Friday, February 22nd. Then, 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. daily from Saturday, February 23rd through Sunday, March 2nd. After that time, the hours of operation will be re-evaluated by City officials. Additionally, please be aware the site will be staffed during normal business hours and monitored by the Jackson Police Department during off hours.

Since collection times will vary, the City reminds all residents who have storm debris to be removed from their curbsides to please be patient as work crews conduct collection operations in their neighborhoods. Crews will work diligently to remove the debris as quickly as possible. However, officials say that it could take months to finish collecting all of the debris as this work must be done in addition to an already busy normal work load.

City crews will attempt to pick up a majority of the storm debris from the curbside, but property owners should be prepared to complete final clean-up of their yards.

The City respectfully requests that all residents be reasonable in their expectations in the clearing of the debris from their home sites. The City remains dedicated to the recovery effort and is committed to seeing that our community recovers quickly from this unfortunate event.

Please phone the Public Works Department at 243-2300 for more information.