Trim Back Trees Or Trash Collection Suspended
“Collecting garbage in some neighbourhoods is becoming quite difficult as a result of overhanging trees and hedges” and “areas that do not comply with written requests to trim back overhanging limbs and hedges will have their curb-side waste collection suspended until appropriate trimming has occurred,” the Ministry of Public Works said today.
A spokesperson said, “The Ministry of Public Works is once again reminding the public that owners of property adjacent to a road are responsible for trimming back overhanging trees and hedges on their properties to stop vegetation from projecting into the road or sidewalk.
“Vegetation needs to be kept clear of a public road for a height not less than 4.9 metres [16 feet and 1 inch] above the surface of the carriageway or 3 metres [9 feet 10 inches] above the surface of a pedestrian walkway or verge.
“The Waste Management section, in particular, is concerned that currently there are areas where overhanging trees are an impediment to safe driving of the garbage collection trucks and can result in damage to or breakage of truck windscreens and side mirrors, and injury to collections personnel.
“Collecting garbage in some neighbourhoods is becoming quite difficult as a result of overhanging trees and hedges. We have experienced damage to our trucks and we are appealing to the public to please trim back their trees and hedges.”
“When excessive overhang becomes a problem, the Ministry of Public Works Collections Department will hand-deliver a letter to each area residence requesting their cooperation with tree and hedge trimming.
“Areas that do not comply with written requests to trim back overhanging limbs and hedges will have their curb-side waste collection suspended until appropriate trimming has occurred.
“The public should also be aware that if such informal requests are not actioned, the Ministry has the power to serve a statutory nuisance abatement notice.
“If you have received a letter requesting assistance with hedge and tree trimming please act within the two week time-frame given or contact the Collections Department at 292-7454 if additional time is needed.”
Stretching for any excuse now to justify poor service.
Just put the work out to bid by private contractors. Cheaper, faster, reliable.
The issue here is that home owners are not trimming their hedges properly and as a consequence are impeding the workers. That has absolutely nothing to do with privatization as the same problems would be faced by workers employed by a private firm. Furthermore the poor service you speak about is caused primarily by trucks being out of service which is the responsibility of the Government not the workers.
” Furthermore the poor service you speak about is caused primarily by trucks being out of service which is the responsibility of the Government not the workers.”
Who services those trucks? The workers, not the Govt.
Can’t service the trucks without the parts!
There is NO money for parts, money dont grow on trees, you just dont get it.
But America’s Cup is a success.
we ain’t had it yet, that was one of the legs of the LV World Series to determine who will race against Oracle in the 2017 AC.
Yes Onion Juice, money does not grown on trees. Too bad you didn’t start blowing that horn 16 years ago.
AC is an investment in our future and hopefully that investment will pay dividends someday soon. If you didn’t participate or see the coverage on TV, too bad, you missed out. It was exciting, fun and the TV footage was great.
“Can’t service the trucks without the parts!”
Who puts together the service plans and determines parts needed for servicing over the life of a vehicle?
That’s right Larry, it’s workers, not ministers !
Funny that the recyclables still get picked up in the same areas without any moaning… Just sayin’
It’s No Excuse TRIM YOUR TREES. The Workers get injured on the back of the Trucks From over Hanging Trees. TRIM YOUR TREES, If the Shoe Fits……
I agree as someone who runs on the roads I can tell you that the overgrown hedges which are the responsibility of the homeowners are out of control.
Also one of the significant reasons why we all lose power as soon as it’s at all windy is the out of control tree growth.
@Family Man
In this instance I don’t agree. Tree and Shrub overgrowth on this island has gotten way out of hand. If anything people should start receiving fines for neglecting their property.
So what will you say when the private contractors complain, well all depends who does it because the nanny’s dont complain.
Umm, have you been out on the roads lately? The overhanging trees and unkept hedges are a danger to pedestrians, especially children who have to walk (dodge)to school. Do you think that privately owned truckers will bill the owners, of property with overhanging trees,when their trucks get damaged? Of course they will! Great job and kudos to the trash collectors!
But Front Street looks good.
How would you know ?
4 hmmmm,he/she/it wouldn’t. Onion juice to busy crying all the time. the biggest negative ah around
Not Government’s job or effort.
Front street to North street is the Corporation of Hamilton.
But I am sure they appreciate the acknowledgement of their efforts.
i am not saying weather they are doing a good or bad job but why should government worker health and safety be put at risk because land owners do not follow the law.
would you work under such circumstances. they are at risk enough with people not disposing of cand and needles properly or paint with has flown in theor faces.
why add other riskd to their job. come one. work as one bermuda instead of looking at ways to fight against each other.
if cutting a few hedges will make someones work easier and benfit you as well why not get it done. this also helps belco telco cable and wireless etc. so come on people lets work together instad of against each other.
I am not saying “whether” they are doing a good or bad job…
Weather = the state of the atmosphere.
They have a Billionaire sail boat race to cater too, trash trucks and safety is not a priority right now, well thats until the trash dont get picked up for a few weeks.
Grow up, this is about people cutting back their trees so that a service can be provided.
Ya, they should slash the gov’t workforce in half so that we can invest more money into stuff like sail boat racing that actually brings money into Bermuda. I’d happily take my own trash to Tynes Bay just to spite people like you.
Normally I would agree with you on Privatization. However, the guys and girls that collect our garbage do work hard.
Furthermore, something does need to be done about the overgrown trees! It forces cars and trucks further into the road. Overgrown trees force pedestrians, including our children walking home from school to walk 2 or 3 feet into the road. The street that I live is popular with people walking dogs as well as people riding horses. I can’t blame these men and women. I wouldn’t want to be on the back of a truck that has too constantly brush against the trees causing branches to whip at the men and women that ride on the back of the truck.
What’s sad is that its hard to disagree with this comment. It may be a genuine concern but with the current union leadership and government work stoppages nothing will surprise me.
So how does privatizing deal with the overhanging trees.
Oh that’s right, we the public will just foot the tab for them.
Just trim ya trees, its not hard, especially since sometimes they are collecting trash after hours, and we all know it get darker much quicker during the winter months
Government’s talking about people trimming back their roadside trees hanging into the roads which we can all agree.So why are you looking to privatising when it usually means it will be more costly for the citizens. It won’t be faster or reliable with the trees hangover into our roadways. Government has got something right this time!
Dumb thing, is that this is a business opportunity for folks to provide a service for a reasonable amount to maintain roadside of private properties.
People out of work, really.
See a need, fill a need.
Perhaps W&E can offer the service for a fee. Raise money into the coffers instead of being just a cost centre
You are correct…A business opportunity is knocking…who will get off their collective asses and go around offering their service where ever they see overhanging foilage..??? I guess it’s easier to b!t@# an moan about it than to resolve the problem…landscaping is a lucrative business in bermuda…I tried to hire numerous large landscapers only to be told that they are too busy to take on any more customers…there’s no excuse to be Unemployed unless you’re unemployable.
@ Family Man, we are on the same page. Whilst I get that trees not trimmed might be a problem, I see this as just another excuse for the poor service they have been providing for quite some time now.
Somebody should smack u wit ah tree foul….dnt just say any thing bermuda please
I think it’s a genuine request by Government.
The Union/s are not shouting about it but have probably had talks with Government about addressing the issues.
As for “privatize” …..that’s GARBAGE.
They could have 200 garbage trucks working 24/7 and damage and injuries and repairs would happened and be needed.
I am not a big fan of the Unions but they are not b____ing and moaning (see above).
Fines et al take time and create backlog just like your rotting garbage sitting somewhere and creating another problem.
Shalom and may the clippers and saws be with you.
Be thankful bermudians are pickin up ya nasty trash…
Be thankful bermudians are pickin up ya nasty trash…family man
I just called my wife at home to ask her to trim her bush or the trash men will stop coming.
Why people don’t name and shame any more?
“people”.
Government have.
Your point is what.
Violence will result even in the rich areas . Funny that.
People are scared of everything even looking at their aging faces and broken teeth and fat bellies in the mirror.
Just imagine walking out the door………………….
How about if Government utilizes the trusted prisoners again as done in the past to cut the open visible areas of trees on the island. It will only cost the daily rate of a prisoner i.e. a few dollars a day. Or use the Hustle Truck staff which I believe come under Government as well. Residents can do their own properties or hire a landscaper. If it is an area where there are a lot of residents they can spit the bill for the whole area.
Any excuse to not do what they are paid to do.
The guys collecting the recyclables haven’t complained. They use the same roads. My recyclables are picked up every time, on time. I wish I could say the same for my trash.
There are lots of overgrown trees but they only seem to be an issue for the trash collection guys. Not an issue for the recyclable collection. Go figure.
The Mews condos on Riddles bay Road have half the road blocked with overgrown trees and bushes repeated calls to Government fall of the usual deaf ears with an unwillingness to assist, but there should be a penalty for these people who allow this to happen and are putting others at risk
The road is private.
Not public.
Sorry…Riddles Bay Road is NOT a private road, it becomes private when it hits the golf course, and there’s a PUBLIC dock at the end of the PUBLIC road
Riddells Bay Road is a freakin mess! You can barely drive down that road, it’s a disgraceful mess with double parked cars, small boats/dinghy and terrible overgrowth! And guess where team Oracles manager lives? Yep Riddells Bay! Get on it Min Cannonier
Meanwhile workers play cards and drink beers!
@Thinking I am with you. Also W&E already can cut back trees and then give homeowners the bill so they might as well use the option especially if it is causing a hazzard.
Yeah they could do it on overtime!
Too busy for dat.
I’ve said it before and will say it again:
If the Tree Crew we have just TRIM the trees back to the verge instead of the 8′ path they do more would get done.
Oh sorry I forgot they would not be able to use their camper van fitted with chairs (possible sleeping quarters) etc. and Ace Boy driving around in the dual cab truck???
How did we do it before in the old days with Ag & Fish doing this job without complaints.
Trash trucks are much larger than your normal dump truck FYI to you all who don’t get it!! They are set very high and what looks like easy access to you in your private cars can become a nightmare for a trash truck squeezing it’s way to clean up you ungrateful people’s stinking rotting trash! Have any of you complainers driven a trash truck??? Until you have I suggest you hush. Yes, collecting garbage is their job. But going home with one eye is nowhere to be found in their job description. Tidy up your back yards before you start pointing and poking. I bet the complainers are property owners who are too cheap or living beyond their means to cut their own hedges/trees.
Gees a disgruntled W &E employee or what!……time for a “career” change me thinks
I do agree with the department on property owners trimming back their hedges not only will it allow the garbage disposal techs to do their jobs effectively but it in case of somthing more serious like a fire or accident the emergency personal can reach the location but I also agree with some of the bloggers that some of these guys are not !! Doing their job effectively I happen to watch one truck antendee on tribe road one in Devonshire lift up and old lady’s trash can and because it had ants in it refuse to take the trash this lady is 83 years old and she puts her garbage out the night before she has no control over the ants. some of them are just lazy
I only have one question…where pre tell are the road crews that used to cut trees on a regular..?? apparently no one has been terminated, redundant or layed off…so where are these crews and what are they doing..??
The OBA got in and then they got lazy . The unions have been on a work to rule since the OBA won the last election .
Ebay
E Bay
Whats the riddle.
Solution … If the owners fail to trim trees , let AG &Fish do it and charge them accordingly !
People have had their property at the curb side done for them forever by government now they have to take care of it themselves.trust me they will get use to it after awhile it’s just an extra 20 mins of yard work depending on the size of your property of course.