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City braces for storm, but residents need to make sure leaves aren't piled in the streets

By Howard B. Owens

City residents, if you've piled your leaves in the street, please move them into the parkway -- between the curb and the sidewalk -- this morning.

City Manager Jason Molino said the city's leaf removal program started a week ago, but there's still a lot of leaves on the ground, and even though in a press release last week the city asked residents not to pile leaves in the street, some have.

"They're a hazard to cars, but in a situation like this, they clog storm drains and prevent storm water runoff," Molino said.

Residents should especially take action to prevent any piles of leaves from blocking catch basins and storm drains.

City crews -- both DPW and fire -- have been ensuring all equipment -- from pumping equipment to chainsaws and all vehicles are in good working order, fueled and ready to go.

There will be a full compliment of DPW workers available today and this evening, Molino said.

The city will have more information about storm preparedness later this morning.

Mike Weaver

Howard, this is what your coverage of the press release stated;
"Residents on Oak, Main and Ellicott streets are asked to place their leaves in the parkway. All other residents are asked to place their leaves in the street near the curb line."

Residents were asked to place leaves in the steets unless they live on 3 specific specific streets with parkways.

It is rahter late for the city to ask residents to move leaves they were told to put in the streets back up on to their lawns. Most of the homeowners are at work now.

Oct 29, 2012, 9:19am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

I agree Mike, that is very true that we were instructed to to that. However it doesnt take an Einstein to figure out that if my leaves havent been picked up yet and theres all this news about flooding rains and such coming, maybe I should pull some of those leaves out of the street gutter. Unless of course I WANT to see my basement become an indoor pool.

I mean our heavy rains this summer proved that even without leaves, Batavia's rainwater run off drainage can be overwhelmed just by the volume of water. To leave the leaves in the street's gutter to be washed to the nearest drainage grate seems a little mindless. Its not my responsibility but since outside my ground level apt there is such a grate I have my rake handy to go out and clear the drain as needed rather than just wait to become flooded.

Oct 29, 2012, 9:31am Permalink
Cory Hawley

Yes because putting the leaves 2 feet farther from the drains will prevent clogging.... We are going to get 40+mph sustained winds. 65 mph gusts. You think the leaves are going to stay there? Unbelievable.

Oct 29, 2012, 9:48am Permalink
Ted Wenzka

Didn't we get notice last week that city pickup of leaves to start today. Now they tell us to get the leaves out of the street. Guess what, for me it ain't going to happen. A little difficult to do it when you work in Tonawanda.

Oct 29, 2012, 11:51am Permalink
Kyle Couchman

Obviously Corey you havent tried to move wet leaves any time recently. Event with a backpack blower that can generate the equivalent of 70 to 80 mph winds they dont move easily. Thats a fact that any homeowner or landscaper can relate.

Oct 29, 2012, 1:07pm Permalink

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