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Ridgewood eyes higher seasonal staffing, yard‑waste disposal increases amid heavy leaf seasons
Summary
Public works officials told the council seasonal staffing for leaf and yard‑waste pickup will rise to reduce overtime and service strain; yard‑waste disposal costs and specialized equipment (windrow/tub grinder) are driving operating increases.
Chris Rudishauser, director of public works and village engineer, and Michael (Mike) Giunta, streets division lead, said the streets, yard‑waste and fleet budgets reflect higher disposal costs and a need for more seasonal workers for leaf collection.
Mike described last year as unusually demanding: crews worked long days and the village relied on pulling staff from other divisions when part‑time help was unavailable. The budget request raises temporary and seasonal pay to attract workers for the fall leaf season and yard‑waste pickup; Mike said last year the village struggled to fill temporary slots and often had regular staff working 10‑hour days, six days a week.
Why it matters: council members worried about rising seasonal staffing costs but acknowledged that hiring more part‑time workers at competitive rates may be less costly than continued overtime for full‑time staff. Village leaders noted a starting hourly rate of about $20 for seasonal positions and higher pay (about $22) for workers with CDLs.
Yard‑waste and compost facility: Rudishauser and Giunta explained that leaves may be composted on site but DEP rules require a larger buffer for grass clippings, so grass must be containerized and removed quickly; that increases disposal costs. The facility operates a tub grinder and a windrow machine, which have significant wear‑and‑tear and contractual maintenance costs. The team asked for increased budget authority for disposal and for tub‑grinder/windrow maintenance and operation.
Equipment and fleet integration: staff proposed a capital hot‑box trailer purchase (~$44,000) to improve pot‑hole repairs and said larger fleet purchases and tire replacements (loader tires ~ $6,000 each) factor into fleet‑service budgets.
Ending: Council members asked staff to report wage offers and anticipated recruitment success before the budget is finalized; staff said they will track hiring response and return with refined figures before the March introduction.
