Fort compost site, brush pickup starting in April

By Chris Spangler

Contributor

As spring yard cleanup gets under way in Fort Atkinson, the city soon will be opening the compost site and scheduling curbside brush pickup.

Located behind Memorial Park on the city’s southeast side, the compost site will reopen Saturday, April 3.

Hours are from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, with extended hours until sunset on Wednesday; and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on holidays.

This marks the third year that the compost site will be open on all weekdays, Department of Public Works office coordinator Tracey Bente said, thanks to security cameras keeping an eye on things when no attendant is on hand.

“As long as people read the signs,” Bente said, it works well.

She reported that, not surprisingly, the compost site was used particularly heavily last year, as people isolating at home due to COVID-19 had more time to do yardwork.

So much brush was brought in to the compost site that the city’s bill for chipping branches and brush increased by $4,000, Bente said.

She noted that the acceptable items for the compost site include brush, grass clippings, leaves, garden and flower plant materials. Not accepted are rocks, gravel, cement, food waste, kitchen waste, trash, cardboard, and paper and plastic bags.

Bente emphasized that dumping trash or other prohibited items is a “no-no,” adding that the city has had to issue tickets to people who do not follow the rules.

In addition, she asked that people not leave waste or recyclables at the locked gate after hours.

Yard waste will not be accepted at the Department of Public Works while the compost site is open for the season.

Meanwhile, brush pickup will begin April 6 on the north side of the Rock River and April 13 on the south side. It will continue on the first and second Tuesdays of the month, respectively, until December.

Brush pickup is by appointment only. To schedule an appointment, call (920) 563-7771 and provide your name, address, telephone number, email and any necessary instructions. Also, include a cross-street if located on a corner.

In order to guarantee pickup, schedule the appointment a minimum of 24 hours prior to the desired service date.

Only brush that is more than three-quarters of an inch in diameter at the cut end and more than 3 inches in length should be placed at the curb for collection. Anything smaller will plug the chipper and thus must be taken to the compost site. 

Brush should be put at the curb and piled neatly with the cut end facing the street.

Also at the compost site, the electronic waste trailer will be open on Wednesdays from 3 p.m. to sunset and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Household appliances also may be dropped off at this time.
Electronic items such as laptop computers, printers, flat-screen televisions, flat-screen computer monitors, computer peripherals, DVD players, digital videorecorders, VCRs, radios, CD players fax machines and cellphones may be dropped off at no charge.
Due to an increase in recycling costs, there is a $25 fee per old-style “tube” televisions, console televisions and old-style computer monitors.  Please have exact change or a check ready to pay the attendant when dropping off these items.

Also, items such as refrigerators, washers, dryers, dishwashers, toasters, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, blenders, toaster ovens, air conditioners and any other small household appliances may be dropped off on the cement pad at no charge.

All refrigerators or freezers must be clean and have all doors and glass shelving removed before being dropped off.

Salvaging is not allowed.

Other items not accepted at the compost site are: glass, batteries of any kind, light bulbs, smoke detectors, mercury containing devices, X-ray devices, exit signs, contaminated medical equipment, any materials containing PCBs, furniture and items that are run by gasoline, diesel or kerosene due to a fire hazard.