Heads up for Jefferson residents, the number of garbage routes will be reduced.

Since the City switched from manual to automated garbage pick-up, the Public Works Department has made the decision to reduce the number of days for residential curbside pick-up. Public Works Director Dave Morlan says residents in the northeast section of town will have their garbage day moved from Thursday to Wednesday, starting next week. Recycling routes will also be combined, with Thursday moving to Wednesday.

Morlan reports that since they made the change to a one-person crew using an automated arm to pick up the garbage containers, Thursdays have been the lightest day for garbage collection. On average, the Thursday routes include 205 spots with about 3.75-tons of garbage. Mondays, the average tonnage is 6.62, Tuesdays are 5.6 and Wednesdays are 5.57. Morlan notes the new garbage truck can hold 11-tons of garbage. 

City Administrator Mike Palmer says he knew of the possibility of reducing the number of routes, but was surprised how quickly the change has come.

“I would’ve guessed sometime next year (to make the reduction). But our operator, he’s really caught on very, very fast with it. And with that truck, with the size of it, it can hold that kind of material. Kudos to getting that larger truck and especially to the operator who has gotten very efficient with it.” 

The change will take effect starting October 30th and commercial routes will remain the same.