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Council committee debates alternatives for yard-waste collection as department seeks levy reductions
Summary
Public works staff presented multiple options—maintain current 26-week curbside program, reduce the season, move to spring-and-fall pickups, offer a subscription model, or eliminate curbside collection—to reduce costs and vehicle use; the committee provided guidance but took no formal action.
The Department of Public Works presented several alternatives for Wauwatosa’s yard-waste collection program as part of the department’s effort to meet department levy-reduction targets ahead of the upcoming budget cycle.
Operations Superintendent Jason Blasiola and Business Manager Kristen Kilstock described current service levels and costs: the city’s curbside yard-waste program runs 26 weeks (April–October) and averages about 13 curbside collections per household per year; the crews collected nearly 1,500 tons at the curb last year and the drop-off center received roughly 1,700 tons. Current rules include a 50-pound weight limit per container and a 10-bag or bundled-branch limit for curbside collection. Staff said they use rear-load “packer” trucks (model years cited as 2005–2007) and that operating and repair costs for yard-waste collection this past year amounted to…
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