Date: October 12, 2023
BROOKFIELD – Residents in the Village area of Brookfield were taken by surprise yesterday when the Select Board announced that they will not be picking up fallen leaves in the Village area this autumn due to staffing shortages in the Highway Department.
This sudden change has left many residents concerned about the inconvenience it may cause, as the tradition of leaf collection has been a staple in the community for years. Residents have come to rely on the town’s leaf pickup service to keep their neighborhoods clean during the fall season.
The decision to suspend leaf collection in the Village area was announced by the Select Board on October 12, 2023. According to Select Board members, the Highway Department is currently experiencing a shortage of manpower, making it impossible to maintain the leaf collection service at its usual capacity.
Residents are advised to explore alternative options for managing their fallen leaves this season. Some potential solutions include composting leaves, mulching them into the lawn, or using the town’s transfer station location for yard waste. It is understood by the Select Board that residents do not need to have the annual permit to use the transfer station’s yard waste section.
While this change in leaf collection policy has generated some frustration among Village area residents, many are also expressing understanding for the challenges faced by the Highway Department.
The Select Board is actively working to address staffing issues in the Highway Department and hopes to resume regular leaf collection services in the future.
Residents are encouraged to stay updated on any further developments or changes to leaf collection services through the official town website and local news outlets.
In the meantime, the community is encouraged to come together and explore creative solutions for managing fallen leaves in a way that minimizes their impact on the environment and keeps the Village area beautiful.