Leaf Collection FAQ
Information on Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Leaf Collection Program
Each fall, the Town receives many inquiries from citizens regarding the leaf collection program. The following information may be useful in understanding the Leaf Collection Program. If you have questions which are not answered here, please contact the Customer Service & Information Center at 860-647-5235.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Why is Area 1 always first?
Answer: Area 1 and Area 2 are no longer used for scheduling. Crews will begin at the intersection of Middle Tpke and Main St, working outward from that central point to surrounding neighborhoods.
When will they be in my neighborhood?
Answer: We currently have multiple crews working throughout town as efficiently as possible. While we’re unable to provide an exact date or time for when they’ll reach your neighborhood, please know they’re making steady progress and will get to your area as soon as they can. Please check the website and mapping for updates.
Why can’t you tell me when they’ll be in my neighborhood?
Answer: We understand it can be frustrating not to have a specific date. Crews are working across multiple neighborhoods, and their progress depends on factors like weather, leaf volume, and daily conditions. While we can’t provide an exact schedule, please know they’re working as quickly and efficiently as possible and will reach your area soon. Please check the website and mapping for updates.
My taxes are paying for this, why can’t you tell me exactly when they’ll be coming to my street?
Answer: This program is funded by and is supported through the Sanitation Enterprise, which operates independently of general tax revenue.
Will they come back if my leaves aren’t out yet?
Answer: No, crews make only one pass through each neighborhood. If you miss the collection, please bag your leaves and either set them out for curbside pickup or drop them off at the Transfer Station during regular business hours. When the Transfer Station is closed, residents may use the temporary drop-off site at 263 Olcott Street.
Our leaves aren’t down yet.
Answer: We understand your leaves may not be down yet. Unfortunately, crews can only make one pass, so we recommend bagging leaves for curbside pickup or dropping them off at the Transfer Station or the temporary site at 263 Olcott Street.
Our leaves have been down for a while.
Answer: Crews are working through each area as quickly as possible. If your leaves are already down, you can bag them for curbside pickup or drop them off at the Transfer Station or 263 Olcott St.
My neighbor put his leaves on the street. What can I do?
Answer: Please use our Citizen Reporting Tool to report this violation. The appropriate department will follow up accordingly.
Crews have been down one side of our street and they haven’t come back. When will my side be done?
Answer: As part of the continuing effort to improve efficiency and maintain the safest operation possible, leaves one side of the street will occasionally be collected up to 2-3 days in advance of the other side.
Why don't you wait for all of the leaves to fall before starting the collection?
Answer: With over 750 roads in town, crews need to start early to ensure every street is covered before winter weather arrives. The selected start date allows for all roads to be completed, safely and efficiently.
What is the protocol if snow arrives before leaf collection is finished?
Answer: Leaf collection will resume when weather conditions allow. If we experience early snow or freezing temperatures, leaf equipment cannot operate safely and collection will be paused.
Are branches and other large yard debris accepted?
Answer: No, during leaf collection, only leaves will be picked up. Please keep piles free of branches, brush, and other debris to ensure safe and efficient service. Foreign debris damages the equipment. If branches or foreign debris are in your leaf pile, it will not be collected.
Is there a weight restriction on the leaf bags?
Answer: Yes, leaf bags must not exceed 40 lbs. Bags over the weight limit will not be collected.
How often is the website updated with street status?
Answer: Typically, the website is updated daily with the latest street status. It shows which streets have already been completed and which streets are scheduled next.
My neighbors leaves have been picked up but mine have not, why?
Answer: There are a number of reasons why your leaves may not be collected, including:
- A vehicle was blocking your leaves
- You had debris in your leaf pile
- Or your leaves were placed after crews completed the pass.
How can I dispose of my leaves?
Answer: Residents have four options for disposing of leaves:
1) Residents can rake leaves to the curb for vacuum collection. Do not place leaves in the street or block sidewalks.
2) You can put the leaves out at the curb in paper bags. Leaf bags can be purchased at the Customer Service & Information Center in Town Hall, or at the Transfer Station 311 Olcott St and at the Senior Center, 549 Middle Tpke East. Yard waste is collected weekly on the day of your regular trash pick-up for 10 months of the year, beginning on the 3rd Monday in March and finishing on Friday of the 2nd full week the following January. 30-gallon bags may be purchased in bundles of 5 for $2.00. Paper leaf bags purchased from retail stores are also acceptable.
3) Residents can also bring loose or paper bagged leaves to the Manchester Transfer Station composting area on Olcott Street year round, Tuesday through Saturday, from 7:15 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. (No brush or plastic bags, please.)
4) During hours when the Transfer Station is closed, ONLY Residents may drop off loose or paper bagged leaves at the parking lot at 263 Olcott Street from October 11th through December 31st. (No brush or plastic bags, please. No Contractors are allowed to use this drop-off site.)
Where should I put my leaves for vacuum pickup?
Answer: Leaves shall be raked to the edge of your property along the street. Do not cover sidewalks or block streets with leaf piles. It is a Violation of Town Codes to block sidewalks and streets with leaves.
The Town has already picked up leaves on my street. Will they be coming back?
Answer: No, each street will have only ONE vacuum collection. If all the leaves haven’t fallen yet and the trucks have been through your street, you still have the option of putting them in paper bags for curbside collection, bringing them to the Transfer Station or after Transfer Station hours at the Leaf Drop-off area, located in the parking lot at 263 Olcott Street. It is possible that leaves on one side of a street will be collected up to two or three days in advance of the other side of the street.
What if it snows before the program is over and the leaves haven't been picked up?
Answer: The Town Highway department will resume leaf collection when weather conditions allow. If we experience significant early snow or cold weather conditions, our leaf machines can no longer be used to collect leaves. The Town vehicles used to pick up leaves are the same vehicles used to plow. Once switched over for snow, they will not be switched back for leaf pick-up until spring, if necessary. In some cases, this may require the use of other equipment such as front-end loaders to remove leaf piles.
I’m hiring a contractor to rake my leaves. When should I have him put them out to the edge of my property?
Answer:
Vacuum Collection will begin the 10th of November. The listing of streets in each area can be found on our web site:
https://www.manchesterct.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Works/Leaf-Collection-Program
We advise that leaves be raked to the edge of your property in advance of the area start date.
Why didn’t they vacuum in front of my house?
Answer: The truck might have been full and they returned to the Transfer composting area to empty it or the weather might have interfered. If it snows, the Highway department has to stop the collection to change the equipment on the truck for snow and ice removal. If there were any vehicles parked in front of your house, crews would not have been able to get to the leaves and will not be returning.
Why don't you wait for all of the leaves to fall before starting the collection?
Answer: With over 750 roads within the Town, we must start early enough to allow time to cover every street before any major weather occurrence.
You can call the Customer Service & Information Center at 860-647-5235 for further questions. Our office is open until 7pm on Tuesdays, 1pm on Fridays, and all other days are 8:00am - 4:30pm.