Just days following one of the worst ice storms to hit the region in recent years, plans were already underway for cleaning up downed trees and branches.
On Tuesday Wellington County officials announced brush can be dropped off, free of charge until April 30 at county waste facilities from 8am to 4pm. Locations and days of operation include:
– Riverstown (near Kenilworth), open Tuesday to Saturday;
– Harriston, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays;
– Belwood, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays; and
– Aberfoyle, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Limbs must be smaller than 25cm (10 inches) in diameter. For more information about county waste facilities, visit wellington.ca.
Centre Wellington
In Centre Wellington, which was hardest hit by the ice storm, township staff was out this week picking up broken limbs and brush, most of which will be turned into mulch.
“They will remove any limbs and brush that has been piled on the boulevard next to the curb,” stated a township press release.
The township will conduct clean-up until April 17 for brush that meets the following requirements:
– piles must be no larger than 3 metres long by 1m wide by 1m in height, with branches less than 15cm (6 inches) centimeters) in diameter;
– only one pile per property;
– all brush must be placed at the roadside no later than April 17; and
– leaves, grass and other debris will not be collected.
Erin
For those living in urban areas in Erin, the town’s roads department will pick up branches starting approximately April 11.
Branches must be gathered and piled (in the same direction) in four- to five-foot lengths and placed on the boulevard – not the sidewalk.
For updates check the town’s website or Twitter account.
Mapleton
The Mapleton public works department will pick up limbs and brush placed in the boulevard area of urban areas until 2pm on April 6.
The brush, which can also be dropped off at the Moorefield shop (3 Hilwood Drive) until April 8, will be chipped for municipal purposes.
Minto
In Minto, tree limbs placed by the roadway by the end of this week would be picked up by the town, CAO Bill White stated in a town press release.
It was not known by press time if the service would be continued in subsequent weeks.
Wellington North
Township staff will be conducting ongoing roadside pick-up of brush in Wellington North for the entire month of April.
Staff will pick up brush placed in one pile no larger than 1.8m long, 1.8m wide and 1.2m high (6 ft. by 6 ft. by 4ft.), with branches a maximum of 7.5cm (3 inches) in diameter. Bulk brush must be free of loose debris such as leaves, grass clippings or garden waste.
Wellington North will be keeping on two public works winter seasonal workers for an additional week to help support the clean-up efforts.
Residents wanting more information can contact the township.
Elsewhere
Officials in Guelph-Eramosa and Puslinch told the Advertiser their respective municipalities have no plans to organize brush pick-up for residents affected by the storm.
Several indicated they are simply directing local residents to the nearest county waste facility, where they can take advantage of the county’s free drop-off until April 30.
Burning regulations
Wellington residents wishing to dispose of their own trees, branches and brush via burning should check with their fire department regarding local regulations.
Most fire departments require residents to obtain a burning permit.
In Centre Wellington burn permits can be purchased at centrewellington.ca or in person on weekdays at the Fergus Fire Station or the township officer in Elora.
For those living elsewhere, more information is available by contacting the local municipality or visiting its website.
