Almost three months after the Oct. 29 snowstorm laid a heavy load of wet snow on trees still holding their fall leaves, the Bernards Township Department of Public Works has announced the department is officially complete with branch debris removal as related to that storm storm.

The township also announced that the DPW continues to work on pruning hazardous branches on trees in the public road right of way that are considered to pose a danger to the public.

"Please be advised that if debris was not picked up and is still present along your frontage, said debris cleanup has been deemed a resident responsibility," according to a notice on the Bernards Township website. Residents are being asked to remove or make their own arrangements with a private tree company for removal and disposal of such debris.

Pat Monaco, the township public works director, issued a reminder that the municipal Pill Hill Recycling Facility off Pill Hill Road is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Saturday for residents to dispose of branch and/or leaf debris free of charge.

The Pill Hill facility is open Saturdays, 8 a.m.to 4 p.m. in November through March, and 8 a.m. to 5 on Saturdays in April through October, according to the public works department. During April, May, June, October and November, the facility also is open on Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. Residents also may compost their own material, Monaco reminded in a letter posted online for residents.

Residents were asked to call the Public Works office for further details on the Pill Hill facility or with any other questions on the cleanup, at 908-204-3084.

Monaco said in an online letter that township ordinance and police regulations prohibit the placing or sweeping of any litter, including grass, leaves, branches, all other wood and garden refuse),upon any public property such as streets, sidewalks, gutters, and drainage ways. All sweepings of such debris should be collected and placed in containers for disposal, the letter said.

"The Township encourages you to follow the above provisions for safety, economic and aesthetic reasons. The following reasons also highlight the importance of the regulation," the letter said.

1) It is very costly to clean out catch basins and drainage pipes.
2) Children love to jump in leaves, but playing in the leaves piled in a street is dangerous.
3) Wet leaves in the street are a particular hazard for motor vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists.
4) Litter accumulation can be very unsightly.

While it is not the Township’s policy to actively pursue the issuance of summonses, the law provides for the possibility of fines for violations, the letter said. Any person violating any provision of the ordinance would if convicted be subject to a fine of up to $100 for each violation, with continuing violations counting for separate violations each day, according to the public works department.