Proposed Curbside Leaf Pick-Up Program Will Not Transpire
Due to a lack of bid proposals, the proposed curbside leaf pick-up program will not take place this fall.
The proposed curbside leaf pick-up initiative launched by Manalapan Township Committeeman Ryan Green will not be happening this fall.
The proposal gave Manalapan residents the option to place their fall leaves on the curb in front of their home and then pay for a vacuum truck to come by and pick up the leaves. Green, who submitted this proposal in April, asked the Township Committee to look into private landscaping companies or other municipalities who use curbside leaf pick-up to partner up with for the fall.
The Township Committee created a Request for Proposal (RFP) and went out to bid so that the municipalities or landscaping companies interested in teaming up with the township can submit a proposal detailing the price of the leaf pick-up services.
“We did everything possible to publicize this RFP,” Green said at the last Township Committee meeting. “The RFP was sent to all the municipalities that border Manalapan, it was sent to our Monmouth County government, and it was sent to three professional landscape associations for distribution to their members state-wide.”
After all of this effort, only one proposal was submitted. A private landscaping company headquartered in Bergen County submitted a proposal to the township, but the municipal professionals determined that the company does not have the resources to handle the demand of a leaf pick-up program in Manalapan, according to Green.
Consequently, the curbside vacuum leaf pick-up program will not be implemented for this fall. Residents will continue to place their leaves in biodegradable bags and put them at the curb to be picked up by the Department of Public Works on specified dates throughout the fall.
Although Green’s proposal did not work out the way he had hoped, the Committeeman was happy that he had the support of the Township Committee and thankful to the administrators for their hard work on the proposal.
“We cannot shy away from exploring new, innovative ideas to save money, generate revenue, and enhance services for our residents,” Green said. “While every idea might not succeed, we must continue to think outside the box and take the Township in new directions.”
Shep Proudfoot
8:41 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Good. My neighbors leaves at the curb+wind= mess at my house No good
Patrick Roy,AIA,PP, Architect & Planner
8:53 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Check with Oakhurst NJ or other neibouring municipalities as to how they are managing their leaf pickup.
Patrick Roy,AIA,PP, Architect & Planner
9:01 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
At least try to buy one or two trucks as a starter. It would at least help out in removing
the curbside leaves. It may take a long time to clear all the leaves, but hey it is a least a starter for at least one or two months of work.
Sarah
6:13 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I would like to see them clean the streets with the Street Cleaner they already have and do not use. Why would we buy them anything else. I for one would like to know what Public Works does these days. Never see them around any more.
Patrick Roy,AIA,PP, Architect & Planner
9:07 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Try also to increase property tax by $1 or $2 that may bring at least $50,000 dollars for a truck or two. Bring it out at your next Township Counsel meeting pronto!
sgmbh
9:13 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Considering how our residents are being chastised and criticized for the garbage being picked up in front of their homes, no one in their right minds would apply to be the leaf pickup guy. No wonder nobody even bid.
Sarah
6:08 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I agree but also we pay for leaf pick up already thru our minicipal taxes. Why should we have to pay double. I can't even get public works to pick up my branches. Nothing picked up since April. The township needs to work on that. I want a refund on my taxes.
Shep Proudfoot
9:32 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Why dont you pay the $50,000, Patrick? Since youre so concerned, and do it pronto.
Manalapan Lady
11:08 am on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Maybe Manalapan should check with Marlboro, Freehold Twp, Freehold Boro, or any of the other surrounding towns whose residents don't have to BUY bags to bag their leaves. It is ridiculous that Manalapan DPW doesn't have a leaf vacuum truck.
Jerry
12:24 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
I would greatly appreciate it if my fellow architect Patrick and the others who have simplified the issue would stop spending my money. Also, what would make anyone think that a leaf vacuum truck costs $50k? Perhaps the thought is to buy an SUV and use that for the leaves. My guess (and it's only a guess) is the cost is closer to $300-400k per truck. Plus tipping fees each time that truck dumps it's load. While bagging the leaves is not fun, it does result in a much neater township in the fall. We've all driven through Marlboro and I for one don't think the piles of leaves at the curb are all that attractive nor safe.
By the way, if the Township Committee is serious about this and the RFP resulted in only one bid, perhaps it needs to review how the RFP was written, not how it was advertised. It might want to consult a couple of the non-bidders to learn why a business would choose not to bid.
SOG
3:05 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
why not just mulch the leaves back into your lawn to help feed it, rather than using synthesized chemicals that run off into the watershed and cause myriad problems downstream? I've been doing that for thirty years and my lawn is as thick and lush and green as anyone's, and it costs me nothing. I also bag some of the mulched leaves and use that to insulate my gardens once the ground freezes to prevent damage from the freeze/thaw cycle.
par1@verizon.net
7:50 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
That is just brightest idea of all the comments. It involve outdoor exercise and upkeep of the environment.
Sarah
6:00 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
We already have a street cleaner truck that sits and Public Works does not use. Why buy them anyting else?
MJI
10:32 pm on Tuesday, August 28, 2012
God forbid they would make anything easier in this town