Department of Public Works Prepares for Fall and Winter Maintenance
Flint, Michigan – September 24, 2015 – The City of Flint’s Department of Public Works is working to be prepared for the upcoming fall season. As the time for addressing leaves and snow approaches, the City DPW is intent on improving both the Bag It! curb-side leaf collection program and the Snow and Ice Control plan.
The fall leaf pickup will again require residents to bag the leaves and the City intends to increase the public outreach to ensure everyone appreciates the importance of their participation in the program. Bag It! curbside collection occurs with normal garbage day pick-up until November 30. Last year residents saw DPW use of Leaf-Vac trucks to clear leaves from storm sewer catch basins to reduce the likelihood that they will become clogged and cause flooding during heavy rain and snow thawing. Bag It! is a partnership between the City of Flint, Republic Services of Flint and Keep Genesee County Beautiful.
Flint’s DPW also implemented a new, proactive Snow and Ice Control plan in 2014 that is designed to adapt to changing conditions in real time and improve the efficiency when deploying City resources during winter weather response.
Last year was a big step forward following the worst winter in the City’s history, we added GPS units and had a successful pilot program using tractors,” said DPW Director Howard Croft. “This year we have greatly improved the condition of our fleet with twelve new snow plows, 6 new salt spinners, and 8 new vehicles.” Director Croft does not anticipate using the tractors again in the coming season. Additional details will be forthcoming in the next few weeks on both fall and winter maintenance activities.
