The proposed implementation of a new code for the annual fall leaf collection has fomented much discussion in the village, little of it favorable. We are joining the many residents who have already voiced their legitimate concerns and objections to the new code.
- After allowing for many wheelbarrows full of leaves for compost, we still rake mountains of leaves to the front of our homes for collection.
- We let fallen leaves remain as protective layers on our garden beds, and yet have plenty remaining for raking.
- Leaves do not mulch well unless they are shredded, which some of us do. We still have many bushels left to rake.
- Our typical weekly pile measures approximately 13 feet long by 3.5 feet wide by 3 feet high. An online calculator estimates that’s 12-15 compacted 30-gallon bags per household per week.
- To bag this volume of leaves each week would be onerous for all and not even doable for those of us who are seniors or have physical limitations.
- The consumption of large numbers of paper bags would be costly and ecologically wasteful.
- Bags of wet leaves are horrendously heavy and could disintegrate in rainy weather.
- Without a guarantee of village-provided assistance for labor, we might not be able to comply and will be deterred from planting new trees.
- This code would be an unnecessary burden and mean the subtraction of a service in a highly-taxed village.
If you are concerned about safety and visibility being compromised by overly tall leaf piles, we suggest (a) conducting an education campaign for drivers and parents, and (b) challenging LRS to come up with a pickup method that works with smaller piles.
We respectfully request you to consider the inconvenience and hardship to your constituents and rescind the proposed change.
Thomas Bair, John and Joyce Cassel, Linwood and Susie Duroe, Denise and Bruce Hartney, James and Diane Martin, Julie Robichaud, Zarine Weil, Jeff and Diane White
Oak Park