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Resident urges grace period, easier payment after new leaf‑disposal fee frustrates working families
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Summary
At the April 14 Franklin Township meeting, resident Shanique Davis objected to a new leaf‑disposal fee that began April 1, citing lack of notice, cash/check‑only permits and limited convenience-center hours; township officials said leaf curbside pickup remains free and managers cited DEP storage limits and budget work toward online payment options.
Shanique Davis, a Franklin Township resident, told the council on April 14 that the township’s recently implemented leaf‑disposal fee went into effect April 1 with “no notice” and created practical barriers for working residents.
Davis said the permit system requires residents to buy permits in advance and pay by check or cash at public‑works or clerk offices open on weekday schedules, and that the convenience center’s limited hours — two Mondays and one Saturday a month — make legal disposal inaccessible for many. “This wasn’t designed for working residents in mind,” she said, adding that comparable towns offer curbside pickup or much more flexible drop‑off arrangements.
Township Manager Bob (surname not specified in the transcript) responded that the town still provides curbside leaf pickup in the fall and that the recent fee change primarily reflects constraints tied to brush/storage, including state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) limits on how long ground material can be stored at the convenience center. He said the convenience center previously accepted brush and ground material at no cost, but storage and DEP compliance now require the township to pay for removal, which led to the revised fee structure.
The manager said council and public‑works discussions reduced initial proposed charges and emphasized that the council is exploring ways to expand hours and improve payment access: “We anticipate being able to enter into the agreements with companies to allow us to take credit cards for things like that,” he said, noting those software and contract items are included in the municipal budget process.
Council members pushed for resident‑friendly implementation. One member clarified that there is no charge for bringing leaves (the council and manager distinguished curbside fall leaf pickup and free spring leaf drop‑off from the yard‑waste/brush fee). Another council member said the council will discuss expanding convenience‑center hours if the budget allows and promised the issue will return to the public‑works committee for further review.
Davis asked for an immediate, short grace period through April, an easier way to pay, expanded hours and better notice. Council and staff did not announce a specific grace period at the meeting but committed to follow‑up via the public‑works committee and upcoming budget deliberations.
What's next: Township staff said improvements to permit sales and payment options are being considered in the current budget cycle; the council directed managers to continue reviewing hours and access and to report back at committee meetings.
