Mayor’s Column: Options, dates and rules for leaf collection
Change of season typically leads to yard work. The changing leaves lead to beautiful scenery. However, the falling of these leaves soon follows.
Unlike many municipalities, Voorhees does not pay to dispose of its leaves. Our leaves are composted at JDM Tri-Boro in Gibbsboro and eventually used for earth stabilization work in Voorhees and the surrounding area.
Voorhees Public Works Department offers two options for leaf collection. The first option allows leaves to be put in trash cans or biodegradable bags to be placed curbside on Sunday after 4 p.m. and by 6 a.m. on Monday for pick-up Township wide. Leaves should not be mixed with regular trash as the leaves will be recycled separately.
The second option allows loose leaves to be left at curbside, but only during the designated dates listed below. Residents can find the scheduled pick-up dates on the Township’s website (www.voorheesnj.com) and on Channel 19 for Comcast subscribers and Channel 38 for Verizon subscribers. Also, signs will be posted at the entrance of each development prior to your scheduled week. Leaves should be raked to the curb line in front of your home the weekend prior to the scheduled week for your neighborhood’s pick-up. Leaf piles should be free of branches and twigs since such items clog the vacuum chute. Residents should also continue to place their grass in cans or biodegradable bags. Do not use plastic bags as they will not be accepted at our recycle facility.
Please refrain from putting tree trimmings or branches at curbside during leaf season. The chipper service will not be available. Please do not put leaves, grass or vegetative waste in blue trash carts.
Leaf collection for the second option scheduled for the week of Oct. 26 to Oct. 30 and the week of Nov. 16 to Nov. 20 includes Acorn Hill, Ashland Terrace, Brian’s Run, Carriagebrook Farm, Country Lane, Golfview, Franklin Square, Greenridge, Kirkwood, Lost Tree, Mews, Old Ashland, Osage, Ridgeview Ct., Rygate, Stafford’s Wo1d, Staffordshire Estates, Staffordshire Farms, Sunnyfield, Three Pond, Traditions, Turbridge, White Horse Road and Woodcrest Acres.
Neighborhoods scheduled for pick-up from Nov. 2 to Nov. 6 and Nov. 23 to Nov. 27 include Alluvium Woods, Avian, Birch Hill Estates, Cherry Brook Farms, Christopher Tract, Colony, Hearth Stone, High Point, HuntingtonRidge, Kress Acres, Lake Villa Dr., Las Brisas, Partridge Run, Rainwood, Ridgewood, Sturbridge Estates, Sturbridge Heights, Sturbridge Lakes, Sturbridge Woods, Terra Verde, Wilderness Lakes, Willow Oaks, Winfield Estate, Wilderness Lakes, Willow Oaks, Winfield Estates, Woodglen, the right side of Gibbs/Kresson Road from Kresson Rd. to Cooper and Cooper to Centennial, the right side of Cooper from Rt. 73 to Kresson/Gibbs Rd. and the right side of Kresson/Gibbs to Kresson Rd.
Neighborhoods scheduled for pick-up from Nov. 9 to Nov. 13 and Nov. 30 to Dec. 4 include Alluvium, Alluvium Lakes, Beagle Club, Braddock’s Woods, Centennial Mill, Chateau Woods, Devonshire, Dutchtown Road, Elm Tree, Fairway Estates, Jillian’s Way Kresson Road, Lafayette Ave, Lafayette Hills, Lake Villa, Lippincott Ave, Old Egg Harbor Rd., Reserves, Royal Ct., Woodbrook, the right side of Gibbs/Kresson Rd. from Rt. 561to Cooper and the right side of Cooper to Rt. 73.
As we have in the past, we will return to all areas of the Township for additional leaf collection as weather allows.
** On Mon., Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m., Voorhees Township will honor those who have worn the uniform of the United States Military with the addition of 69 new members to our Veterans Wall of Honor. The program will be held in the Macy’s Court on the lower level of the Voorhees Town Center. The Wall of Honor is located in Town Hall. We will always be thankful to those who protected our freedom.
** On Fri., Oct. 23, the Voorhees Town Center will again host Thriller Night starting at 7 p.m. along the Boulevard. Enjoy “Spirit Hours” with specials at the bars of Iron Hill Brewery, Rodizio Grill and Catelli Duo. At 7 p.m., watch The Nightmare Before Christmas on a 20 ft. outdoor movie screen. Immediately following the movie there will be a live re-enactment of Thriller performed by Fusion Preforming Arts.
** Voorhees Township’s Annual Halloween in the Park will be held on Sun., Oct. 25 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Connolly Park. Take an old-fashioned hayride or pick a pumpkin from the Voorhees Business Association’s Pumpkin Patch. Candy and refreshments will be plentiful. Activities will include a Halloween Costume Parade, pumpkin painting and decorating, balloon artists, a Halloween themed magic show and face painting. The Voorhees Township Police Department will be providing Halloween safety tips and conducting a Kids’ I.D. card registration. For more information, visit www.voorheesnj.com or call 856–882-SHOW.
** The next production of the Voorhees Theatre Company will be Mary Poppins. This timeless classic was a hit on Broadway and as a movie musical. The show will be presented at the Voorhees Middle School Theater on Thursday, Oct. 29 and Friday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m. and on Sunday, Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. For more information visit www.voorheestheatre.org.
**The Ashley Paul Memorial Foundation will be hosting the 1st Annual Halloween Costume 5K “Run for Your Life” on Saturday, Oct. 31 at Eastern Regional High School. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m. The cost is $20 for pre-registration or $25 the day of the event. Ashley was a caring, vibrant young woman who was very involved in our community, coaching field hockey at Voorhees Middle School and in the Voorhees Girls Lacrosse Program. On June 29, 2012 Ashley passed away at the tender age of 20 after being involved in an ATV accident. The foundation carries on Ashley’s spirit by fostering volunteerism and involvement in the Voorhees Community. For more information, email memoryofashleypaul@aol.com.
** The Voorhees Animal Orphanage will hold its 19th Annual Woofstock Festival on Nov. 7 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at Connolly Park. The event will feature festivities for animal lovers of all ages and their leashed pets as well as appearances by the Mummers, Dr. Elizabeth Severino (Animal Communicator) and Master Chef Joseph Poon. Crafters and vendors are welcome. Microchipping will be available for $25. Admission is a $1 donation but senior citizens and children under 5 are free. For more information about Woofstock or the Animal Orphanage, visit www.theanimalorphanage.org or www.vaonj.org/woofstock.