Some Glen Rock Residents Want Borough To Bag Proposed Leaf Policy

GLEN ROCK, NJ(CBSNewYork) -- As if yard work isn't hard enough, one town in Bergen County is considering a change that would make even more work for homeowners.

Some residents told CBS2's Meg Baker that they aren't happy with the idea of the new leaf law.

To bag leaves or not to bag leaves, that is the question Glen Rock is weighing. Currently, residents rake their loose leaves into large piles left for pick-up on the street.

The borough's annual leaf removal costs average about $250,000. Bagging could save on man-power overtime. The mayor wants to make the process safer and more efficient.

"Because in some areas when the leaves get on the streets, the passage for the cars gets fairly narrow. There are a number of other considerations involved," Mayor John Van Keuren said.

Some residents said they would not welcome the change.

"It would definitely be extra work," Laura Vitelli said, "We are a small town, so a lot falls on the community itself."

Bill Kennedy rakes his leaves four to five times each fall.

"As you can see we have a large property. We would need fifty to sixty bags to clear our leaves," Kennedy said.

Other residents don't mind one way or another.

"It depends. If you are bagging it yourself it's a burden, but if you have a service coming out it's neither here nor there, and honestly it's probably best for everyone because the streets are so narrow it gets a little hard to navigate," one resident said.

The borough's environmental commission supports bagging and composting.

"There are several problems with this, clogging of the storm drains, and price for the leaf removal," Sylvia Rebocchi said.

In neighboring Ridgewood residents have the option to pick up biodegradable bags from the public works building.

In Westchester, New Rochelle recently implemented mandatory bagging.

The mayor said the town has a long way to go before implementing a bag policy. He first wants to see how much of a financial burden it will put on residents. So, for now, the leaves are allowed in the streets.

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