Sparta Explores Post-Sandy Brush Cleanup

The township would like to plan a special one-time only spring pick-up of brush and yard debris to allow residents to clear their yards of debris left by Hurricane Sandy.

The hang-ups, discussed at the last Township Council meeting, are being able to get a reimbursement application filed with the Federal Emergency Management Agency by the last eligible day, and whether the Lake Mohawk Country Club, a private neighborhood with its own bylaws and rules, should be included in the townwide effort.

If the project was approved, FEMA would reimburse Sparta for 75 percent of the cost.

Township Manager David Troust said other Sussex County towns are planning such cleanups.

If Sparta was to schedule one, he said, homeowners would be able to get rid of four cubic yards of branches and sticks. The material would need to be no longer than four feet and no wider than 3 inches in diameter.

Residents would be asked to wrap the branches in packages roughly 5 feet by 4 feet, Troust said.

Material that would not be collected were stumps and items that were not able to be chipped, he said.

The township would need to hire a contractor, Troust said, because the township’s public works staff does not have the time to handle the clean up.

Council members raised concerns.

“I’m not sure we should limit this to four cubic feet of debris,” said Councilman John Schon.

Troust said the issue with the larger items is arranging  pick-up and disposal of them.

Councilwoman Christine Quinn insisted that Lake Mohawk be included, even as Troust said because they are a private homeowners association, they have not participated in such efforts on the past.

Mayor Gilbert Gibbs said Troust should file the paperwork with FEMA,  while making it clear to the federal agency that the event would be held in May.