Great! This is a long time coming. I have seen brush left out all winter after the last pick up. Like 5 months just sitting in the street waiting for the next pick up.

The brush hasn't been left curbside for weeks. The brush was put out after Hurricane Sandy based off communication from the Mayor the township would be around to collect. They haven't been. Anyone getting a fine for what's been put out should fight it tooth and nail.

I hate the junk cars parked on the street. I'm sure the registration isn't up to date nor are they insured.

Wouldn't it be easier to go out and pick up the brush and trees?

Public Works needs to start with something that would be very simple; have weekend hours for the Public Works facility so residents can drop their leaves and branches off if their local pick up isn't within a week of putting their waste curbside. Public access on Wednesdays from 7:30AM to 2:00PM? That doesn't cut it. We need Saturday hours either every weekend or every other weekend.

In my neighborhood there are a couple people who leave trash and recycling cans on the curb days after the pickup. (Or kept out in the front yard - I hope doing that is against code. It seems a shame to drive through a nicely kept neighborhood and come across someone who keeps their trash and recycling cans out front for all to see).
My concerns are: according to the Burlington County Times Fred Turek "will oversee the planning, zoning, construction and code enforcement offices." Mr. Turek said he would be able to devote two days a week to this position and not affect his public work's duties. What I would like the township to disclose is costs in addition to $10,000 for software. Mr. Turek will of course need a raise for his increased duties. We will also have to pay for the code enforcement officer - a part-timer or making permanent Mr. Marshall from part time to full time status. What about other cost? How much will legal counsel cost us? What about the cost of First Municipal Assistance? And what other cost do we face. After that a car only cost $2500 a year, I am a bit apprehensive that our township will be upfront with the cost. We need to know: will this stepped up enforcement cost more than the revenues taken in? If it won't than the township needs to find ways to adjust costs.
I like that the township is taking imitative but the voters want fiscal conservatives. Let’s make sure we are getting the best bang for our bucks. Tell us the true cost and true revenue.

We have lived here for 12 years. Until March of 2012, the Public Works annual leaf & brush collection pamphlet schedule did not match their actions. They usually came as scheduled; but they brought the equipment for collection of both leaves & brush - irrespective of the published guidelines. This got us in the habit of putting out brush in a separate pile from the leaves when it seemed logical to do so.
That was until we were cited with a warning in March about having our brush out at the wrong time. The truth is, according to the pamphlet, we did. But the notice was a wake-up call for me, and I had other questions about whether hedge trimmings were considered as "brush" or should I have bagged them for the trash. I called and left 7 polite messages at Public Works and no one ever called me back.
Several months later, I had cans of old house paint to recycle and I called Public Works again to make an appointment. Someone answered the phone this time and told me to come on Wednesday between 7:30 and 2:30. I said Wednesdays weren't good for me, and asked if I could I make an appointment like their webpage says. The PW employee told me 'your appointment is Wednesday between 7:30 and 2:30.' I wound up taking the stuff to the county facility.

Public Works should be accessible to their public, especially when all we are trying to do be compliant. Picking up the phone to answer questions POLITELY or opening their facility one weekend day per month would be a great help.

I too got a call from the township saying that they would be making two pickups per month, it has been weeks noe, and the curb ay my house is FULL the entire length of my property. I just called the township to find out when the collection would be, and the guy on the phone told me "the last week of the month" (my regular schedule) when I told him about the call i recieved, he told me "that's not what the call said" , I then asked about a special pick up because of how much I have, I was flat out told NO you'll have to call a contractor. I'd like to know who to call next, because I think its rediculous, they aren't picking it up, but are now going to site people.Typical Cinnaminson.

Perfect timing! it's not like we just had a hurricane and a noreaster just roll through or anything....

I will fight the leaves and brush violations in court and retain legal counsel if it comes to that.
I live near the golf course and we never seem to have pick up. Glad we have security cameras that will show the days when the leaves and pick up occur.
The township needs to stick to their schedule before they get ticket happy.

The township needs to enforce their own policy with public works before they pass violations. They need to lead by example. The current schedule is nonsense.

Agreed. One weekend day per month would be GREAT. Those hours do not work for many families. Also, I have, in the past, had some issues with not getting return calls after leaving messages.

Can't the elected officials just do their job and have public works do their job?
That's all we want. They need to stick to the schedule. Country club section has not been picked up yet this year. When my leaf pile blocks the main road then maybe they will get the job done. Who monitors their job? Why in cinnaminson is no one held accountable?

Simple answer "let's ticket"
Do your job!!

Can't the elected officials just do their job and have public works do their job?
That's all we want. They need to stick to the schedule. Country club section has not been picked up yet this year. When my leaf pile blocks the main road then maybe they will get the job done. Who monitors their job? Why in cinnaminson is no one held accountable?

Simple answer "let's ticket"
Do your job!!
I do mine and pay my taxes and play by the rules!!

I can verify that all the brush and leaves have always been picked up in my neighborhood on time and on schedule. Never any issues besides the people putting out the waste at the wrong time.

I have one thing to say...unless this town wants to be locked up in legal proceedings for the next few years INCREASING our tax liability, then they better get the code guidelines clear internally and then send out a pamphlet to every resident to hold responsibility to read! As far as I can tell, things are changing with the wind, and THAT puts this town at legal risk. After the Sanitation Dept OOPS, council better focus on consistent and clear communication or THEY can pay the legal costs if the cases are lost!

Frank, take your head out of the committees back ends please. I don't think anyone truly believes your life is that black and white.

Right on Township! It's time for the WT's to clean up their act! Hooptys' all over the road and brush left curbside for years on end. Let's fine everyone! - 4 more years of the highest taxes of all time! Nice votes!

Watch the language Patchers! Comments will profanity will be promptly deleted. Repeat offenders will have their accounts shut down. Feel free to repost your comments free of swear words.

Leaf Collection. My problem with the leaf collection schedule is that it starts to early. Many leaves have not even fallen yet. Leaf pick up is in the month of November/December. Many of the trees in my yard still have most of their leaves on them now. My neighborhood's week is the first week of the month when basically in the beginning of November the leaves have not fallen. I believe the township should extend the months for leaf pick to at least February.

I have lived in cinnaminson for 27 years in the summer they picked up trash twice a week . now they collect leaves before they fall off of the trees! the zoning officer should start by cleaning his own property up like the giant wood pile out back that tends to draw rodents. only recently he put up a fence so you can see it!

the house next to mine has been vacant for 4 years and it has taken that long to have it cleaned up . I have complained to the township and also the county board of health and the bank of america 4 years of complaining ! $10,000 for new software lol. they reacessed our houses and they are not worth what we have to pay in taxes what a joke. they should cut our taxes but delran and moorestown housing did not go down in value.

SERIOUSLY People! The leave and brush schedule they posted is very accurate and they are not fining anybody if people follow it. They sent directions home with your tax bills, post notices on their website and fb site, and announce it at their meetings, what more do you want? Brush collection is done this month but they still collect leaves also, leaves only next month. It isn’t that hard to follow if you pay attention. Mine was picked up last week as they said it would be! Thank you Public Works!

Public works doing their job means using municipal property ( ie bulldozers) for personal use and using township assets to perform work for other customers in the county.

Wasnt that a cinnaminson leaf truck i saw collecting leaves in moorestown last week?

Leaf & branch pick up? Is that the most serious problem in this town? I live next door to Sanford & Son. They pick up everyon's trash and put it in their backyard, which happens to face 3 windows in my house. If I wanted to sell my house I couldn't. Twp & police have been there numerous times and nothing has changed in years. Time for more than a slap on the wrist. ANGRY IN CINNAMINSON

Its not always perfect. My pick up is supposed to be second week. Of course that means saturday morning at 9 am they ripped thru woth a front end loaded picking up the brush. unfortunately I didnt get out last weekend to put my brush out I had a wedding so now I must wait till next month. Leaves are just a mess in this town. You cant clean these up with a front end loader the street looks worse now than it did with the piles. I lived in Maple Shade for a few years and Cinnaminson could learn a thing or 2 from those guys. It didnt matter when I put my leaves/brish out they came around every week with a chipper and a giant leaf sucking truck. left the curb spotless and clear! Cinnaminson busted my curb with the front end loader and left the street a mess. I guess you get what you pay for. I will be putting my leaves out whenever I have the time to do it, dont worry I will put the citation on top of the pile so you dont forget to pick that garbage up too.

First let me say the Public Works department has done the best job possible following a massive storm. Kudos, to Ben Young, Fred Turek and Fred Rodi (Supervisor) and the workers doing the clean-up effort. The PW can't be everywhere at once. However, the initial message I heard was put your brush to the curb. That was followed a few days later by in your appropriate week. Many people acted on the first message with their property clean-up. I know my neighbor and myself cut up and put out our elderly neighbors storm damage. There has to be some leeway here until the storm damage brush is removed. Overall, I agree with the Committee. We need to curb the issues now. This is probably one of the few areas where Mr. Minniti and I agreed when I served on the Committee. There needs to be a sense of responsibility and accountability on the part of the homeowner. Otherwise, property values can and will continue drop in our community. Ric, John Marshall is currently a full time Zoning officer along with some Economic Development responsibilities that he once had as part of his job duties.

Just as an FYI John Marshall is not, nor ever has he ever been, a full time zoning officer. He does not and has never had any authority or role in economic development. This information is from a committeeman I spoke to this week.

Wow, nice reporting and investigating Christina! Very impressive...

So, Cinnaminson wants to charge people who don't follow the code. How about when the Public works does not do their job, like plowing curb to curb ( supposed to) in the winter months. They come down the middle of the road and just move on. No cars parked on the street. Homeowner is left with mounds of snow 5 feet out from the curb to shovel. Its just not right. This after calling public works and asking them if they will be back. They tell you yes, but never do. Maybe this year I will send you my bill for doing your job.

People spend All day raking leaves and piling curbside for the township to scoop them up with a backhoe? Wth? They make more of a mess spreading them around and leaving leaves behind to delay proper drainage. C'mon where's the money going? Even broke Willingboro has a vac truck. Who ever thought using a backhoe to collect leaves is an idiot! Restructure this whole pw debt.

it always is, and always will be about the townships revenue..bottom line - in what way can the township enforce the rules to bring in more money?..and those who think because they "follow the rules" they will never get caught up with some violation of something then they are delusional or connected- an officer once told me that if he wanted to find something to give me a ticket for then he could..what a great feeling of security.."following the rules" ?? - i like to believe i do - but obviously there are rules on the books that i dont know exist...and obviously some individuals who can work their way around them..

Our brush and leaf collection date is the third Monday of the month. The trucks are in front of our house now picking up the "Sandy" brush. No leaves just the brush for now. It's a start; hopefully, the leaf pick up will be timely.

What a total waste of time that leaves are picked up with a front end loader and that "pincher" thing they use. It leaves a bigger mess on the road than they started with. Then there are the branches, that they load into the back of a township truck, with branches sticking out all over the place, and then drive to the public works building with leaves and branches falling out on the way. What happened to the "Chipper" for branches, and the big "Vaccuum" for leaves?? It appears to me that Cinnaminson has gone in reverse when it comes to this kind of technology. And it cannot be more economical, can it???

@Christina: After seeing Mr. O'Connor's comments above, you might want to think and investigate a little more before you print anything those bunch of liars tell you. I'm not sure which one told you that, but I wouldnt put my trust in anything that comes out of any of their mouths. How many times do people have to ask you to "investigate" before you print. And by investigation, it means BOTH sides of a story and perhaps a little background. Or is this kind of like the investigation you claimed to be working on with the new CFO? You have again proven your loyalty to the Captain and his Team.

Due to the excessive use of profanity, which is against our terms of service, this comment section has been shut down. Any issues? E-mail christina.paciolla@patch.com.