Berkeley Heights: Chipping Program Set to Begin Monday

(Message from the Berkeley Heights Department of Public Works)

Due to the severity of the damage from the storm of October 29, 2011, our regularly scheduled Fall Chipping Program as well as our regularly scheduled Leaf Collection Program will be suspended so that our DPW crews can clear our roads of debris from the recent storm.

We will be implementing a Special Chipping Program which will begin on Monday, November 7, 2011.  We are asking that residents have all their brush for pick up to be out by the morning of Monday, November 7th. 

Due to the quantity of the debris that is anticipated, as well as the likelihood of winter weather related delays, it is impossible for us to provide an accurate schedule for the collection of the storm debris, however, it is our goal to complete this Special Chipping Program by Friday, December 16, 2011.  We will not be adhering to the traditional routes posted in previous schedules in order to allow our crews the flexibility to address critical areas first, such as areas near schools, hospitals, and public facilities.  We ask for your continued patience and understanding while our DPW works to complete this Special Chipping Program as quickly as possible.

We will be making only one pass through the Town, and absolutely no brush will be collected once a section is completed. Residents are advised that there will be no more than one pick-up per household.  There will be No Exceptions to this policy, as our crews must also resume their normal duties.

Brush should be placed in neat piles at curbside with large diameter cut-ends towards the street.  The largest size branches shall be limited to four (4) inches in diameter. Short branches under two (2) feet in length will not be accepted. Lumber, building materials, leaves, roots, stumps, briars, vines, decayed branches and other debris which can damage the chipper will not be accepted. Material of this nature will be left for your disposal. Residents are advised to place at curbside only the wood items listed above. There have been instances where metal items such as posts, wire and metal bands were found mixed with the brush.  This can cause severe injury to employees and damage to equipment. Should metal be found, the pile will be rejected.

Residents will be responsible for the timely removal of all debris that does not meet the criteria specified above, or that is placed at the curb after our crews have picked up debris in front of their homes.

Residents must also be advised that if there is a significant snowfall that covers the piles of debris to be chipped, our crews will not be able to safely handle the material to be chipped, therefore, the program would have to be suspended.

The Township is happy to provide this service however, as stated previously, it will hinder our normal activities. For this reason, any material that can be disposed of privately would enable us to complete this Special Chipping Program and resume our normal activities sooner.  We thank you for your cooperation and patience during this difficult time.