With the absence of Spring Clean Up Week in Jefferson due to COVID-19 concerns, the Public Works Department has some reminders for residents on what they can do with specialty items.

Public Works Director Dave Morlan tells Raccoon Valley Radio the sanitation department will pick-up appliances throughout the year, not just on bi-annual clean up weeks. Some of these items include microwaves, dehumidifiers, washers, dryers, refrigerators, and freezers, among others. Morlan points out city crews will pick these items up on the resident’s normal garbage day and they will be charged the same fee like they would be during clean up week. However, Morlan asks for appliances to be at the curb, separate from the garbage container.

“We do not want appliances stuck in the blue (garbage) container. If he (Mike Wallace) sees them – there is a camera on the hopper of the truck – if he sees them, he will have to stop the truck and pull them out. And they’ll get charged the same (fee) regardless.”    

As for recycling cardboard, the City has two brown dumpsters at the drop-off site near the water plant. Morlan asks residents to break down cardboard items before placing them in the dumpsters.

“Space is an issue to us. If the cardboard is broke down – with the two dumpsters now – it will last a full weekend for us. If people are throwing big boxes in and they’re not broke down, then we’re still having to go in on the weekend and dump those dumpsters so that they’ll make it through two-day weekends.”      

Morlan appreciates everyone’s help with these requests. Anyone with questions can contact City Hall at 515-386-3111.