Brush pick-up still on hold

There won't be a brush pick-up this month in St. Joseph.

Last month the Village suspended collection, a service that the community has enjoyed for more than a quarter of a century according to Public Works superintendent Mike Peters.

"The committee is getting some new policies in place," he said. "I can't tell you much more than that or when we will have something in place."

The problem for Public Works is they can only burn the collected debris when certain conditions are met. Due to the proximity of the piles, burns have to take place when the wind is blowing out of the east to carry the smoke westward away from the village. Complicating the issue is the abundant amount of rainfall this year that has kept the brush too moist to burn. Peters said wet wood smokes too much when burned.

So far, perfect burn days have been few.

In the interim there are several local companies that can provide convenient removal and pick-up services.

Residents can use their smartphone or tablets to photograph their pile of brush or lawn waste and send it to Cheap Charlie Hauling for a free estimate.

"We do offer yard waste pick up," said owner Thomas Stumborg, who says Cheap Charlie accepts cash or checks. "We take it to the Landscape Recycling Center in Urbana. A full pickup with side boards is about seven yards. We would charge about $100 to $150 for a load this size."

He added that a load that would fill a trailer could run (around) $300 for those have a lot of limbs and brush to get off their property.

Another local company that provides brush removal is Under Cutters Lawn Care.

Now in his second season, owner Thomas Dickey employs local high school student and carefully trains each one to give them a valuable skill set for the future.

"I have lived in St Joe for 20 years and care about the appearance of our community," Dickey said. "I had a mentor who had a very successful lawn care business."

Under Cutters accepts cash, check and Vemno.

"My pricing has been determined by going rates charged by other companies in the area," Dickey said.

For quotes and estimates, text or call Under Cutters Lawn Care at 419-2580. Cheap Charlie Hauling can be reached at 417-5601. Both businesses are in the 217 area code.

Village brush pick-up ends this week

After a suspension of service, the Village of St. Joseph announced public works employees will pick brush left on village curbs until June 21 today.

As long as weather conditions allow it, the village will remove brush currently placed curbside that conforms to guidelines until this Friday.

Despite recent issues, the board would like to have some sort of regular brush removal program for the community.

"The village sees the value in providing this service to our residents," says a media release from the village received earlier today. "Due to some of the issues that have evolved over the last several years, we will need to make some revisions to our policies."

After Friday homeowners will be responsible the removal of their own yard waste and brush disposal until further notice.

"I know residents have made recommendations on Facebook with different companies," said Debbie Routh, Treasurer for the village. "We are not advertising any companies at this point."

In addition to policy changes, scheduling issues will be addressed by village trustees.

"The board will review the current policy and man hours spent to provide this service," states the release. "It is our goal to continue to provide this courtesy to our village residents."

Items that are not allowed during this week pick up includes whole trees, bags of clippings weighing over 30 pounds, mulch, stump grindings, dirt and topsoil, plastic trash bags, and trash. Brush should be no longer than 6 feet in length and 10 inches in diameter. Employees will not take yard waste left in trash cans or landscape timber.

Residents are asked to leave 18 inches between each pile left on the curb.

For more information contact the Village of St. Joseph during regular office hours Monday thru Friday from 7:00am to 3:30pm. The office is closed for lunch between 12:30-1:00pm. Inquiries can also be made by phone at (217) 469-7371.