Leaf Collection Compliance 'Unbelievable,' Gabbert Says

As you drive up and down Ridgewood's streets, you might notice there are a heck of a lot of branches peeking out of leaf piles.

The council and administration has made clear they find the appearance of branches in piles distressing due to the safety issues. So distressing they were A-OK with .

But with the widespread devastation in Ridgewood courtesy of Hurricane Sandy, officials say they've overall had a solid level of compliance given the circumstances.

“There's been tremendous cooperation even though it looks like there’s a lot on the street,” Village Manager Ken Gabbert said Wednesday night. According to Gabbert, the sights were far worse following last October's freak snowstorm.

That said, there have been some violators who received a notice indicating they had 48 hours or else a summons would be forthcoming.

“The compliance has been unbelievable,” Gabbert said. "I can’t say if there’s even been five summonses issued.”

Branch piles should be brought to either the Recycling Center on E. Glen Ave. or confined to a section on one's property. The village lost close to $80,000 last year due because branches disrupted leaf mulching.