Crews pick up storm debris off curbs

XENIA (WDTN) - It only took Mother Nature a few minutes to down trees and branches but, clean-up is taking much longer.

A lot of residents are not sure what to do with the yard debris, but in communities like Xenia, crews are hitting the curbs.

On Tuesday, Xenia sent public works crews out on their snow plow routes.  Instead of snow they focused on trees and limbs.

"It's a service to the citizens to get the debris picked up," said Xenia City Manager Jim Percival. "It's a safety issue because those trees and branches on the sidewalk create a hazard for people walking".

Besides safety, Percival said there are also other important benefits.

"We pick up the debris and take it to a facility where it is turned into mulch," said Percival. "Then we get some of the mulch back in the springtime to put around our playgrounds".
    
The only requirement for residents is that the waste is limited to trees and brush and that it is pulled all the way to the curb.

If you live in Xenia and missed Tuesday's sweep, crews will be out again on Friday.

They will start at 6 a.m, so city officials urge residents to place all trees and limbs out at the curb Thursday night.