Leaf collection just got easier in N. Aurora

The buds are not even on the trees yet, but North Aurora is already arranging a new way to collect leaves this fall -- and it will be free, officials said Monday.

The village board approved $40,300 for a leaf Vactor which will collect leaves for free as long as residents rake them to the curb. Several neighboring communities, including St. Charles, offer the service.

Public Works Superintendent Mike Glock said the collection will take place throughout October, a month before Waste Management begins collecting for free. The combination could mean many residents won't have to pay for leaf removal.

The new machine will provide a service to residents as well as help the village, Glock said. Every year, public works employees have to clean storm drains of excess leaves in order to comply with a Kane County storm water ordinance.

For the first run this year, Glock said his department will focus on the older parts of town which have larger trees. Residents can just rake them to the curb and a village crew will drive by and suction them up -- wet or dry -- with a hose with a 12-inch diameter mouth.

Village President John Hansen said residents will see several advantages, including not having to bag their leaves and keeping drains from clogging, which can contribute to flooded streets.

Glock did not have an estimate on how much the new service would cost to operate. However, he said it should be less than services the village provides now. Last year, public works spent about 200 man hours, or roughly $5,700, for labor to rake and haul leaves away, he said.

Glock said he would use a three- or four-man crew to run the Vactor and dump trucks to collect the leaves.

"Until we get this up and running, it's going to be hard to estimate (the cost)," Glock said.