The 2023 annual Fall Leaf Collection program will begin the week of November 6th. The schedule is as follows:
Zones 1 & 2: Weeks of November 6th and December 4th
Zone 5: Weeks of November 13th and December 11th
Zone 3: Weeks of November 20th and December 18th
Zone 4: Weeks of November 27th and December 25th
Any leaves placed curbside outside of the times specified by the Township will be the responsibility of the homeowner to have removed. Sweeping, raking, blowing or otherwise placing leaves at the curb is only allowed seven (7) days prior to a scheduled collection.
Medford Township purchased two new leaf collection vehicles in 2022 that should greatly enhance leaf collection efforts. These vehicles will help complete collections quicker and easier. These trucks are self-contained units and only require one person to operate. This will reduce dump times and will increase the number of loads that can be disposed of during a regular work day. Please note that using these vehicles will require residents to follow strict collection guidelines.
PLEASE DO NOT APPROACH OUR CREWS WHO ARE ACTIVELY WORKING. DRIVERS OF THE NEW UNITS NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE OPERATION AND SHOULD NOT BE DISTRACTED.
As there will be no additional staffing working with the driver operator to rake what cannot be reached, operators will leave behind any leaves that are around or behind trees, utility boxes, mailboxes, or utility poles. Operators will only get leaves that are clear of any of these obstacles where there is no risk of damage to the equipment or private property.
Crews will collect each street once during the collection week. Leaves MUST be curbside by Monday morning of the scheduled collection week. Placing leaves at the street after the truck has passed will result in leaves not being collected until the next scheduled collection week.
Residents are encouraged to build enclosures out of four (4) foot vinyl construction fencing available at local home improvement stores. These enclosures should be placed parallel to the roadway and should be no further than ten (10) feet from the edge of the roadway. PLEASE NOTE THAT TRUCKS WILL NOT LEAVE THE ROADWAY FOR ANY REASON TO COLLECT LEAVES. Drivers will stay on the roadway to prevent damage to any private property and reduce the chance of getting stuck.
Leaves must be free of sticks, branches, tree parts, rocks, vines, or other foreign materials. These items will clog the suction tube resulting in increased down time and possible delays. Leaf piles that include any of these items WILL NOT BE COLLECTED.
Leaves are the only substance that can be put into the gutter. It is very important to keep storm drains clear. Please do not cover the storm drains and keep piles about 1 foot from curbs so rain water runoff can flow freely. Also, please do not park vehicles close to piles; if a car is close to the pile, we will not risk any type of impact and the pile will be passed by.
If a Zone is completed before the end of the collection week, crews may move forward to continue getting leaves off the street. If this happens, crews will return on the scheduled week to perform collections in that Zone.
Placement of leaves at the curb or along the street at any other time or in any other manner is a violation of Township Code Section 82. Any leaves placed curbside outside of the times specified by the Township will be the responsibility of the homeowner to have removed. Sweeping, raking, blowing or otherwise placing leaves at the curb is only permitted seven (7) days prior to a scheduled collection.
Leaves must not be placed in the street or block any vehicle traffic lanes. Leaves must be at least ten (10) feet from storm drains and leaf piles should not block the flow of stormwater on the roadway. Vehicles should be parked away from leaf piles to allow crews to collect leaves quickly and safely. Leaves blocked by parked cars WILL NOT BE COLLECTED. Leaves placed curbside that do not meet the strict guidelines above WILL NOT BE COLLECTED.
*****Any leaves placed at the street by landscapers, contractors, or anyone hired by a homeowner, must be removed by them. Township crews will record addresses where landscapers are actively working and any leaves placed at the street will not be collected by Township personnel.*****
Questions about leaf collection should be directed to the Department of Public Works at 609-654-6791.
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The requirements for leaf collection are included in the Medford Solid Waste Ordinance (Administrative Code Section 82-4D) and the NJ State Stormwater Management Regulations.
Major provisions in Ordinance 82-4 are as follows:
- Leaves can be placed curbside. Any leaves placed curbside after the Township has picked-up in a Zone will be the sole responsibility of the homeowner to remove. For those residents scheduled for a later pick-up, Township officials remind you that leaves left out too soon could create a fire hazard.
- Leaves should be placed at least ten (10) feet from any storm sewer.
- Leaves must be piled away from the curb or edge of the property to allow for water runoff during storms, but not be placed any further than ten (10) feet from the edge of the roadway. Leaves should not be placed in the roadway or block travel lanes. This will help alleviate traffic and pedestrian/bike hazards.
- Leaves should not be placed around trees, signs, utility poles or other obstacles.
- Any leaves generated by professional landscapers, contractors, or anyone hired by a homeowner, must be removed by same.
In the past, the Township has encountered delays with leaf collection due to non-compliance with Township requirements, which impacts the Department’s ability to deliver prompt and efficient service. Residents that do not follow the above procedures are reminded that leaves will not be picked up. The full provisions of Ordinance 82-D can be found on the website utilizing the “Council and Manager” link to Administrative Codes.
In a continuing effort to service residents wishing to dispose of leaves, the Medford Township Garage/Yard/Dump, located at 2 Commonwealth Drive, will accept leaves daily from 7 am until 2 pm, and every third Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm; excluding holidays. Residents must provide proof of residency to gain access to the drop-off point. Absolutely no contractors will be permitted to drop off any items.
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WE APPRECIATE & THANK YOU FOR YOUR COOPERATION as it helps to maintain a safe, clean and attractive community.
Please note that winter weather may delay leaf collection if a snowfall is experienced during leaf collection times. Schedule changes and updates will be distributed by Nixle alerts and posted on the Township website and this official Township Facebook page.
Residents are also reminded that both Leaf & Brush collection may be hindered due to the following unforeseen circumstances. Collections will resume as problems are corrected.
- Breakdowns
- Recognized Holidays
- Manpower Availability
- Adverse Weather Conditions
- Other Emergency Operations or Problems