As summer turns to autumn and leaves begin falling, homeowners will break out the rakes, mowers, leaf blowers, and paper leaf bags to clean up their yards. Here in Reading, the Town offers roadside pick-up for leaves and a Compost Center for brush, branches, and tree trimmings.
The Town has set up three weeks this fall that leaves will be picked up curbside. Leaves must be placed in paper bags and be put curbside on your regular trash day. Leaves will be collected on the following weeks:
- October 30 – November 3, 2017
- November 13 – 17, 2017
- November 27 – December 1, 2017
Like last year, the Town will also continue enforcement of leaf collection this season in an effort to prevent damage to heavy equipment and continue to provide the high quality compost residents have come to expect. In the past, residents have put branches, rocks, nails, paint cans, construction debris, pressure-treated lumber, concrete, and even propane tanks in leaf bags to be picked up for curb collection. When these items come in contact with the shredders used on leaf bags, the damage can be significant, costing time, money and potentially causing serious injuries.
Residents should remember that only leaves, grass clippings, pine needles, and bark mulch are allowed in leaf bags.
Residents who want to dispose of tree trimmings, branches, and brush should bring those items to the Reading Compost Area. A current Community Access Sticker is required to access the Center and available for sale 24×7 from the Reading Police Station only, 15 Union Street. Stickers, which also qualify for resident parking at the train depot, cost just $25. Seniors over 65 pay only $15. Stickers for additional vehicles registered at the same address are $10, but must be purchased at the same time. Residents are also required to present identification in order to enter the Compost Center. Absolutely no commercial vehicles are allowed to utilize the Compost Center.
For questions related to the Compost Area, collection of trash or recyclables, please call the Department of Public Works at 781.942.9092 Monday – Friday 7:00 am to 3:00 pm or Town Hall (781) 942-9077 M-W-Th 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, Tues 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, Friday – Closed.
For more information, see links below:
Link to Calendar for Reading Compost Area and Leaf Collection
Link to Info and Application for Community Access Sticker
