Very soon, city crews will begin collecting the leaves that have fallen leaves. An interactive map of the collection zones is available online at http://sceo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=12597d57382c46faae61aa6b6dbd162d

Leaf collection is expected to continue through Dec. 8.

Crews will be collecting leaves on a daily basis, but it is anticipated that it will take a month to complete the first round of leaf pick up from all of the streets throughout the city. All work is subject to change due to weather conditions equipment availability.

Residents are reminded of the following leaf collection guidelines:

• All loose leaves should be raked to the tree lawn;

• Leaves should not be raked onto the street and certainly not in the vicinity of a catch basin;

• Ensure that leaves are free of garbage, and other yard debris such as brush, branches, large twigs or stones;.

• Piles of grass clippings will not be collected;

• Leaves contaminated with grass clippings, garbage or yard debris will not be collected;

• Never park atop or in front of leaf piles; if you do, they cannot be picked up.

While fall signals the beginning of leaf collection, it also marks the changeover in the collection of yard waste. The weekly Friday collection of yard waste by Republic Services ends Nov. 30. Weekly pickup of yard waste will not resume until May 1, 2018.

From Dec. 1 through April 30, the collection of yard waste will be conducted once monthly by city crews. This collection service begins the second full week of December and continues the second full week of each month through the second full week of April.

During the once monthly collection of yard waste, all yard waste should be out for pick up on your normal trash pick-up day during the second week of each month. The actual pick-up day may be later in the week. It may take more than one week to complete the collection depending on volume and weather conditions.

Yard waste guidelines are the same for weekly and monthly collection:

• Yard waste must be at the curb by 7 a.m. There is no alley pick-up of yard waste;

• All yard waste must be contained in a box, trashcan, biodegradable bag or bundle of material;

• Yard waste bundles must be wrapped with rope or heavy twine (no wire);

• Yard waste containers or bundles cannot exceed 60 pounds;

• Branches and brush must be two-inches or less in diameter and four-feet or less in length;

• A yard waste sticker is required on each bag or bundle only if you are using the city’s bag system for trash.

Christmas tree and seasonal greenery will be picked up by Republic for two weeks after Christmas. The city will pick-up the remaining trees and greenery beginning the second full week in January. Residents are reminded to remove trees from plastic bags, remove all ornaments, tinsel or any other decorations from the tree. Biodegradable (paper) bags are acceptable. For those using the city’s bag system for trash, yard waste stickers are not required for Christmas trees and/or seasonal greenery.

Artificial trees or greenery will not be picked up with yard waste. They should be placed at the curb for the regular trash collection.

Residents with specific questions about either leaf collection or the collection of winter yard waste should contact Joyce Reier at the city of Sidney service center by phone at 937-498-8117 or email, [email protected]. Information is also available at the city of Sidney’s website at www.sidneyoh.com.

Visitors to the community often tell me both how clean and how beautiful they believe the city of Sidney to be. Those of us who live here sometimes fail to see the beauty that surrounds us. I would urge you to help keep Sidney looking as welcoming as possible by following these few simple guidelines.