Lexington’s vacuum leaf collection operation is scheduled to start Monday in the southwest corner of the city. The six week program is for those homes which receive city garbage collection.
Lexington Streets and Roads Director Rob Allen said it’s important to rake leaves to the curb but not into roadways. “Do not put your leaves into the street. That causes a hazard for traffic and could leave a homeowner open to potential liability,” said Allen.
Allen said the coronavirus pandemic has meant cutting in half the number of temporary workers. So, the Streets and Roads director noted collection may run a bit slower than previous years, so homeowners are asked to be patient. “Our big concern is not leaf collection, but snow removal. And what we don’t want to happen is we get in the middle of winter and we’ve lost the majority of our drivers who also drive for leaf collection to COVID,” said Allen
While city council members had questions about the vacuum leaf program, Allen said there’s no reason to think it won’t be back next year, hopefully with less health related restrictions. Allen reminds residents with city collection the primary ways to gather up leaves are through individual carts and using leaf bags.?
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