Fall leaf pickup starts Nov. 15 in Chester

Chester's fall leaf pickup program will begin Monday, Nov. 15, and continue through the end of November or as needed. Residents need to call (618) 826-3712 and leave the address where leaves are ready to be picked up.

Leaves must be raked and piled within 6 feet of the curb or ditch since the large hose on the leaf vac has a limited range of extension. Leaves that are piled up more than 6 feet away in yards will not be picked up by the leaf vac truck.

Residents are also reminded not to pile leaves in streets, on sidewalks, in ditches or in the gutters, as rain will take them into storm sewers causing problems. Also, do not include mulched leaves, limbs or twigs within the leaves; these items can clog up the leaf vac truck.

Please avoid parking vehicles on streets next to piles of leaves during city working hours. The leaf vac will not be able to reach around parked cars.

Bagged leaves also will also be picked up at this time, or any time of the year. The city requires leaves to be bagged in the biodegradable lawn bags. Residents need to call (618)) 826-3712 and leave the address where piled leaves and bagged leaves are ready to be picked up. A list will be made for maintenance workers to get to each day as time and weather permits.

The city of Chester is pleased to again provide the fall leaf pickup program and appreciates residents' patience as workers strive to cover the entire town. For more information, call (618) 826-3712 or (618) 826-5114.