Street Sweeping
Street Sweeping Program
Street sweeping is one of the most visible aspects of the Storm Drainage Department. Citizens and the traveling public can all benefit in several ways from a successful street sweeping program. Clean streets and gutters not only give our town a clean and well kept appearance, they help to reduce traffic accidents, and air pollution caused by dirt, and debris accumulations.
It is important to sweep up as much dirt and debris as possible to prevent pollutants and sediment from entering the storm water system and eventually into local waterways. A successful sweeping program helps to keep our town in compliance with the federally mandated Clean Water Act. Annually, the Town of Windsor hauls 15 truck loads or approximately 200 cubic yards of dirt and debris from street sweepings to the landfill. This does not include the leaves that are swept up during the fall leaf sweeping season.
Operations
The Storm Drainage Department operates one mechanical type sweeper full time throughout the year and an air operated vacuum type sweeper during leaf season. The town is divided into sweeping districts and each district is swept several times each year. Old Town Windsor and areas where there are larger mature trees are swept several times each week during leaf season. The downtown district is swept approximately 20 times during the year during the early morning hours before cars begin parking at local businesses. Sweepers cover over 200 curb miles of street each year. Other sweeping responsibilities include sweeping for the Harvest Festival parade, Triathlon race, parking lots for special events, citizen complaints, traffic accidents, and spills in the roadway.
How You Can Help
Windsor residents can help the street sweepers do their job on scheduled street sweeping days by removing vehicles, trash cans, basketball hoops, and other obstructions from the street. It is also helpful if citizens keep tree branches and bushes trimmed back so that sweepers can sweep up to the curb line.
Leaves and Debris
As a reminder it is illegal to place trash, branches, and debris in the street. It is also illegal to blow or rake leaves into the street. The sweeper cannot pick up large debris and piles of leaves. The leaves that fall into a resident’s yard are their responsibility to pick up. This falls under Chapter 7 Article 2 Section 7-2-30 of the Town of Windsor Municipal code. Your cooperation in this area will be appreciated.
