Mayor Promises to Fix Leaf Collection Program

Marlboro Mayor Jonathan Hornik says he isn’t happy with the township’s leaf pick up program.

He said that because of storms like Hurricane Sandy, winter weather and other factors, the Public Works leaf pick up schedule has been delayed, and it’s something he wants to fix.

“We’re going to revisit the leaf pick up program. I’m definitely not pleased and it will be corrected as soon as we can find a way for it to be executed,” said the mayor.

Commenters on the Marlboro-Colts Neck Patch and its Facebook page say their leaves were not picked up according to the township schedule, that they were left in front of their homes through the holidays and were then scattered throughout the streets and their yards after plows cleared snow from the roads.

"I'm in zone 3 and my development has leaves. What a mess for the holidays to have these leaves in front of your house. Why not clean up by Thanksgiving before they are buried by snow and the plow creating even a bigger mess,” said Carmella Diver on Facebook.

“Zone 6 and still no pickup...was supposed to be the week of 12/9...probably blaming the weather...nothing better than shoveling snow with mixed in wet, frozen, dead leaves...thanks
,” said Todd Sundheimer on Facebook.

Mayor Hornik said the window to collect leaves is short, since the township has to wait until all or most of the leaves fall and then get them before winter weather sets in.

“It’s a very small window. That’s not an excuse, just a fact,” he said. “We’re going to revisit the program, I’m definitely not pleased with it. I promise residents will have an improvement.”

Leaf collection in the fall was supposed to begin Sept. 23 and run through Dec. 16.

According to the township web site, the next leaf and brush collection is scheduled to begin on March 10. Brush Only collection will begin in January.