Port city yard opens, brush collection to begin next week

The Port Washington city yard on Moore Road opened for the year Tuesday, April 14, and will be open through fall.

The yard is open from 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays.

Employees will be on hand to monitor those using the yard and to ensure they are maintaining social distance. 

Depending on how many people are at the yard at one time, they may limit the number of people inside to help with social distancing.

The city will begin brush pickup beginning on Monday, April 20. It will continue on alternate weeks until June 8, when weekly pickup will be held.

Street Commissioner J.D. Hoile asked that people who have small piles of twigs and branches less than one foot long place them in containers at the curb.

He also asked that instead of large piles, people separate branches into smaller, neat stacks at the curb. The branches should be facing in one direction.

If the street department workers find branches at the curb in tangled messes rather than neat piles, they will tag the pile  and ask the homeowner to place them in neat stacks that can be picked up the following week. 

If the city spends more than 15 minutes chipping brush at a house, the department may charge $60 for the work. The department will pick up tree trimmings and pieces of trees less than eight inches in diameter.

The street department will also deliver full and half loads of wood chips to houses in the city. Returns are not allowed.

Anyone seeking a load of wood chips may do so by filling out a form they can find at City Hall, 100 W. Grand Ave., or on the website, cityofportwashington.com.