Vernon Public Works News

PUBLIC WORKS NEWS (Updated August 25, 2008)
Residents who have any questions regarding any service provided by
Vernon Public Works may call the office at 870-3500.

PRESS RELEASES

REMINDER – To help with efficiency, safety and also to assist Vernon Public Works refuse and recycling personnel, residents are being reminded not to place their refuse and recycling in areas that are obstructed by parked vehicles.

Hazardous Waste – Fall Collection Reminder

Hazardous waste for Vernon residents will be accepted at the Olcott Street facility in Manchester on the following Saturday dates from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM: September 6 and 20, October 4 and 25. There will be a Hazardous Waste Collection held at Stafford Town Hall on October 18, 2008.

Residents are reminded NOT to bring asbestos (call the Public Works Office at 870-3500 for disposal options), smoke detectors, compressed gas cylinders, ammunition, fireworks, explosives and fire extinguishers. Motor oil and antifreeze can be taken to the transfer station. Dried latex paint containers may be placed with the regular refuse for collection.

Residents who attend these collections should bring as many hazardous materials as possible to the collection site. If you have only a few items, car-pool with a neighbor. Town of Vernon will be billed $37.00 for fiscal year 2008-2009 for each vehicle that participates at each event.

POPULAR FREE ELECTRONICS DROP OFF EXPANDS

The Vernon Department of Public Works is expanding the Free Electronics Drop Off program to include televisions. Televisions will now be accepted as part of the Free Electronics Drop Off at the Vernon Transfer Station. Other acceptable items for drop off include computer equipment, printers, faxes, modems, answering machines, VCR’s, CD players, cell phones, stereo and radio equipment, toners and cartridges.

Residents should not place televisions or electronics at the curb with regular refuse. Residents can hold items until the next free scheduled drop off or may visit the Transfer Station using a permit and punch card Wednesdays, Saturdays, or Sundays.

Free Electronic Drop Off days will be offered to Vernon residents 4 times annually. The next drop off days are scheduled for Wednesday, October 29 and Saturday, November 1, 2008. All electronic equipment dropped off is being recycled. The last full container shipped out contained 10,000 lbs. of electronics. This tonnage removed from the waste stream is saving the town money in tipping fees and is a responsible step towards our recycling goals.

For other disposal options or questions, call the Public Works office at 870-3500.

REMINDER - As a result of the Connecticut Resource Recovery Authority (CRRA) no longer allowing disposal of mattresses and boxsprings, the Town of Vernon Public Works Department no longer collects these items with weekly curbside collection. Residents have the option of either bringing mattresses and boxsprings to the Vernon Transfer Station or calling the Public Works Department at 870-3500 to schedule a PAID bulk pickup. The Transfer Station hours of operation are Wednesdays and Saturdays 8 AM-4 PM and Sundays 12:00 Noon-4 PM. A permit and punchcard will be required.

RECYCLING TIP OF THE WEEK

Refuse Information

EASY AS 1, 2, 3, 4 - No need to separate your newspapers, magazines, junk mail or boxboard (cereal and dry food boxes with inside bag removed and box flattened). Just place into a brown PAPER BAG and place on top of or next to your recycling bin. Remember loose paper not only blows around our streets, it makes the recycling process difficult and cannot be accepted. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

TELEPHONE BOOK RECYCLING
Telephone books are recyclable but are not collected with curbside service. You can recycle your old telephone books by placing them in the telephone book container located at the Public Works Complex at 375 Hartford Turnpike (Route 30) or in the container at The Vernon Transfer Station on Hockanum Boulevard.

REMINDER - TOWN OF VERNON RESIDENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THE REFUSE AND RECYCLING CREWS ARE ON SUMMER HOURS. THE CREWS START THE DAY AT 6:00 AM. RESIDENTS MUST HAVE THEIR REFUSE AND RECYCLING AT THE CURB NO LATER THAN 6:00 AM. IF IT IS MORE CONVENIENT FOR THE RESIDENTS, REFUSE AND RECYCLING MAY BE PLACED AT THE CURB THE NIGHT PRIOR TO COLLECTION. THE STARTING COLLECTION TIME CHANGE WILL CONTINUE UNTIL MONDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2008.

GRASS CLIPPINGS
Under the State Public Act #98-99 (effective January 1, 1999) the Vernon Public Works Department cannot collect bagged grass clippings with the weekly refuse collection.

Grass clippings will no longer be accepted at any resource recovery facility or solid waste facility in Connecticut.

The Department of Environmental Protection suggests that residents recycle or compost their grass clippings. This would mean leaving grass clippings on the lawn, which would reduce watering, thatching and applying fertilizers. Composting would mean layering various vegetative wastes, including the grass clippings, kitchen scraps and other yard trimmings in home compost bins to produce mulch, which can be used in gardens and around shrubs. Under no circumstances are grass clippings or anything else to be put down storm drains.

HAZARDOUS WASTER COLLECTION UPDATE FOR 2008
Hazardous waste for Vernon residents will be accepted at the Olcott Street facility in Manchester on the following Saturday dates from 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM: April 12 and 26, May 10 and 31, September 6 and 20, October 4 and 25. There will be a Hazardous Waste Collection held in Stafford, CT at the Stafford Town Hall on October 18.

Residents who attend these collections should bring as many hazardous materials as possible to the collection site. If you have only a few items, car-pool with a neighbor. Vernon will be billed $37.00 for fiscal year 2008/2009 for each vehicle that participates at each even

Residents who have any questions regarding any service provided by Vernon Public Works may call the office at 870-3500.