Greensburg targets more consistent leaf pickup this fall

Greensburg residents can expect leaf pickup to be more frequent and more consistent, according to Public Works Director Tom Bell.

The city has three leaf vacuum trailers, but this is the first time in several years that all three have been operational.

A breakdown left one trailer out of commission in 2018, Bell said. In 2019 many city vehicles were heavily damaged in the October fire that destroyed the public works garage on South Urania Avenue, which once again slowed leaf pickup.

In the past the city has had two leaf collection routes, with the third truck assisting one of the others on particularly busy streets. This year Bell is trying something new, giving each truck its own route.

Bell hopes this will prevent delays and backups that were common in years past, he said.

“I think by putting this third route on we’ll be able to keep up with everything, and it will make a big difference,” Bell said.

Leaf pickup will begin next week. The city will post the full schedule at the public works page at greensburgpa.org.

“We’re always looking to find ways to make our services flow better, and adding a third truck to the rotation was a genius idea by Tom Bell which adds consistency that we did not have last year,” city Councilman Greg Mertz said.

The city picks up leaves until the first week in December, or until the first heavy snowfall of the year, whichever comes first.

Residents are reminded not to mix tree branches and other brush with their leaves, as this can damage the equipment.

Leaf pickup is unavailable in the city’s alleys, which are too narrow to accommodate the pickup trucks.