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| "Butch" Grube, in his trademark hat, at a recent meeting. |
Gallagher actually had Public Works Director Richard "Butch" Grube summoned to explain why it's taking his crew so damn long to pick up fallen leaves. He's getting lots of complaints from neighbors."A lot of people think the public works crews are goofing off," he complained.
Grube explained that Bethlehem Tp has 120 miles of roads and five machines to seep up fallen leaves, two of which are currently out of service. He told Gallagher that leaves came down late this year, and then dropped all at once. To make matters worse, he's been hampered by the weather. His crew was unable to pick up leaves after the recent freak snow storm, which Manager Doug Bruce called "the largest storm in the Lehigh Valley in November." In addition to the snow, rains have slowed leaf collection. Wet leaves are difficult to sweep, Grube noted.
After hearing these explanations, Gallagher suggested that Grube post a schedule on the Township web page so residents have some idea when their area is being swept.
Grube responded that doing so will make residents even more angry if the trucks are delayed. President Mike Hudak agreed with this and began to say something, but Gallagher cut him off.
No Commissioner joined in Gallagher's suggestion that a schedule be posted.
In addition to fallen leaves, Gallagher was the sole No vote on a change order for the removal of two dead trees at Housenick Park. They are both on slopes leading to the creek. the total cost, as a change order to work already being done by T and M, is $5,000.
This was too much money, according to one resident who claimed he had trees removes from his own property for far less money. "Personally, i thought it was a good price," responded president Mike Hudak. He recently had seven trees removed from his property and it cost $2,000 for one of the larger trees.
The resident, who has never been to Housenick Park, demanded directions and even wants someone to escort him to the trees in question. He suggested that Commissioners give him $5,000 and let him get rid of the trees.
"Five thousand dollars for a tree and a half seems pretty high," said Commissioner John Gallagher. He was the sole No vote to the change order.
What doesn't get folks riled up. I understand the concern, but not the animosity... I think we have a pretty good PW crew, and Dept head. The day of the snow storm, I saw them sucking up leaves in and plowing snow all in the same day. You can't control mother nature (though we can influence w/climate change factors). The day of the snow, trees in our neighborhood still had 1/3 of the leaves still on their branches. The past two years in particular they've been holding onto to their leaves longer. Add to that the mileage of streets added over the years of development. PW is doing a good job despite these variables. I only hope they can still come through our neck of the woods one more time. If you drive through the city of Bethlehem, I see piles of leaves there too. Again, you can't control when the last leaves fall.
ReplyDelete$5000.tree, sounds like a sweetheart deal, did they get other bids, there are many tree people who would do this for less, especially if it is not near any buildings. Forget about the leaves, people should take care of their own leaves. The townships need to focus on all the dead trees along the highways, many are going to start coming down this year as they were killed off a few years ago by the gypsy moth. People will die when they fall on the cars.
ReplyDelete"butch"... your a goof.. sit down. Perhaps maybe look for a date at the family reunion?
ReplyDeleteIt's about time someone questions spending in the township and perhaps he and other newer commissioners will question more actions by this rubber stamp administration! Some people get really pissed off and angry and we have seen what can happen when pushed to a boiling point!
ReplyDeleteIf Gallagher wants to question spending, I think some other items are much bigger.
ReplyDeleteYea, like the $20K for a shitty carnival community day joke. Admittedly not budgeted this year but added for next? Carnivals are for raising money but township likes to piss away taxpayer dollars. There is absolutely no reason for a carnival especially at that time of the year, end of summer, football season, field hockey, soccer etc. The community center runs on a deficit as is!!!
ReplyDeleteI saw the city of Bethlehem public works staffers out getting leaves on Saturday and guarantee it was not over time either. Township can't figure out how to adjust staff hours, well maybe over a few more taxpayer lunches...
ReplyDelete8:07, gotta’ love the implied threat there. Because your leaves aren’t raked up fast enough, you seem to be suggesting some sort of violence like in Ross Tp. I hope I misunderstood you.
ReplyDelete“I want my baba and I want it now!”
Little child.
8:07 - if you're suggesting that leaf collection might cause someone to visit violence upon public officials, you and your ilk have much more serious problems than tardy leaf collection. They're fkin leaves for crissake. Sheesh.
ReplyDeleteWhy no bids on the tree work?
ReplyDeleteLeaf violence? You gotta love the extremist ways of life in America today. We have truly become a country of Looney tunes as much of the world believes.
ReplyDeletePeople should deal with their leaves themselves, if you dont like leaves get an apartment. Since when is government responsible for the leaves.
ReplyDeleteCorruption has occurred in the township before (not ignorance of commissioners & the street light scam) and several employee's spent time in jail so, is it that time to investigate the working relationship between a certain company and staffers?
ReplyDelete1:26, this was discussed last night. It would’ve idiotic when an outfit is already there.
ReplyDeleteStart with T and M. They were involved in the Allentown corruption where FedEd directed companies to contribute for favors.
ReplyDeleteI work for the City of Bethlehem and see first hand the abuse of leaf collection. When the City started this program it was for leaves that fell onto the street from the trees. Now people rake their entire front and back yard and put it in the street. People should rake up their leaves and take it to the recycling center but they are too lazy and expect the City and the Township to do it for them. Some piles are 4 foot high. We could get the streets cleared in no time if we only pick up the leaves that fall into the street. When is the Mayor and your Township Commissioners going to stop this?
ReplyDeleteMunicipalities should collect leaves that fall into street. Homeowners should make a compost pile in back yard for excess lawn leaves. Running a mulching mower makes nice fertilizer for lawns and no run off from the commercial fertilizers into our waterways. If you like butterflies, they need, as part of their life cycle, to overwinter in leaf mulch. It is not necessary to have naked flower and shrub borders. Leaf litter helps birds to find sources of protein. Leaves are not garbage. Outside of gutters/storm drains and spouting they are not a major problem.
ReplyDeleteSPOILED city employee. No one has ever told citizens not to rake leaves into the gutter. If that is the will of the city leadership then have them announce that. You have only been picking up those leaves for decades. For Christ sake stop bitching, you get your guaranteed annual raise.
ReplyDeleteAlso not sure if the city landfill accepts leaves, they change their policies every so many months.
The township built a recycling center, and residents bring in yard waste but not leaves. Bernie - did the town supervisors say if overtime is being paid to collect leaves?
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to see some people have sense. The idea of raking leaves into the street where they get picked up has to stop.
ReplyDeleteKEEP YOUR LEAVES IN YOUR YARD! You don't even need to compost them. Nature will take care of them.
You might want to try planting some actual native plants instead of having a "lawn" too.
I would think the city, township and or borough. Will get to you leaves. I don't think anyone is going to steal them.
ReplyDeleteLeaf pickup wasn't much of an issue wHen residents were allowed to burn their leaves. But .the township passed a no burning law maybe 20 years ago knowing that they would have to increase their services. Hence the leaf pickup. I think the township does a very good job of leaf collection and I am very critical of Butch and crew. Ex. He is clueless on how to pave a road or patch or fix the streets.my lawn guy just cut my grass today and put all the clippings in the street, mostly leave. But it is now 20% of original size. Anyway if this service wasn't there neighbors would be arguing with neighbors about their leaves endin.g up an their yard. Basically this is a service most of us use if not all of us. So it's an expense we incur and must share in. yes we could live without it but at what cost.
ReplyDelete