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Residents ask city to reconsider shortened Saturday yard‑waste hours
Summary
A resident told the Public Works Committee reduced Saturday hours at the yard-waste site (now closing at noon) limit access for weekday workers and may encourage illegal dumping; staff said the change followed usage analysis and staffing constraints and that fall leaf collection weekends will be expanded and advertised.
A Norwalk resident urged the Public Works Committee to restore or expand Saturday access to the city's yard-waste collection site after hours were shortened to noon.
"Most of those residents who have to work Monday through Friday can only use the yard waste collection site on Saturdays," David Schafer said. He asked what methodology the city used to determine low Saturday-afternoon usage — whether staff counted cars, consulted employees or what periods the data covered — and warned that reduced hours could discourage proper disposal and increase illegal dumping.
Chief of Operations Vanessa Valadares said the reduction was based on usage data and staffing realities; she noted comparisons with neighboring municipalities that operate on a morning schedule and said the city plans expanded yard-waste service days in the fall when leaves fall and will advertise those dates in advance. Valadares acknowledged some residents still come between noon and 2 p.m. and said the transfer station’s registration/checks are being enforced.
The committee did not take formal action but asked staff to continue outreach about fall collection dates and to consider whether limited additional weekend hours are feasible.
