By By KATHIE HEMPEL / Niles Daily Star
NILES – Daffodils and tulips coming into bloom can only mean one thing. Spring is here – despite forecasts calling for snow and cold weather for the next few days.
Along with the season comes the annual spring cleanup.
Cleaning out the garage, basement and closets are a traditional routine in many homes. What to do with all the stuff collected can be one of the ritual's biggest frustrations.
The answer when it comes to computer parts, tires or hazardous waste can be one of the many collections dates set for that purpose. Various locations are made available to make the process as easy as possible.
This year May 12 is when materials like chemicals including waste oil, oil filters, anti-freeze, gasoline, household batteries, car batteries, oil-based paints and varnishes, lawn and pool chemicals, home medical waste like old medicines, sharps and mercury containing items can be taken to the Southeast Berrien County Landfill between 8 a.m. and noon.
Some charges apply if there are more than two car batteries or more than 11 gallons of liquids. Fireworks and ammo, grill size propane tanks, tires, computers and appliances are not accepted.
To dispose of computers this spring, collection is occurring from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 2 at the Lincoln Twp, Fire Department at 2130 John Beers Rd., Stevensville. Items accepted are computer monitors, CPU's, desktop printers, desktop copiers, scanners, keyboards, mice and other peripherals such as cords, cell phones and televisions.
There is a charge for some services. A fee of $3 per monitor or television under 27 inches or $8 for console televisions or those over 27 inches is charged.
St. Mary's Boy Scout Troop No. 579 will be holding a paper drive and recycling day April 21 from 8 a.m. to noon. Scouts will be on duty to help unload newspapers to the bin to be located in the church parking lot.
No magazines are accepted. Recyclable aluminum, old cell phones and used ink cartridges for computer printers will be accepted.
"Three code enforcements officers are averaging 10 citations a day for abandoned vehicles and junk left in yards," said Diane Powers, Administrative Assistant with Niles building department.
"Once a resident has received a citation, they may be able to get a week or two extension, but normally they are required to get rid of the offending materials ASAP," she said.
Niles residents are only allowed to have one inoperable vehicle at any one location. Any trash waiting to be taken for one of the specified materials collection days should be stored in an enclosed building.
"If you have limbs, twigs without thorns and rims up to five inches in diameter, they can be placed by the curb. However, residents must call to be added to the 'brush list' in order to have them picked up. We start the list the first and fourth Tuesday and rotate wards.
"The next pick up is next Tuesday, April 10, so calls should be in to us by Thursday of this week," said Jamie Moody, City of Niles Public Works Department.
Moody added for those leaving messages on the department's answering machine, it is important to leave the address, not the phone number.
"We average 50 calls a day, this time of year, and there is no way we can return phone calls. We do continue to do the brush cleanup each time until the list is completed. Don't worry if everything is not picked up the first day. We will keep working until the entire list is finished even if it takes until the next cycle starts," she said.
There is no leaf pick up this spring. Leaves should be bagged and taken to the landfill. As long as there are no limbs and tree branches, there will be no charge.
Those wishing more information are invited to call Berrien County Resource Recovery, (269) 983-7111 ext. 8234 for collection days. To have your tree limbs disposed of call to have your name put on the brush list at 683-4700 ext. 208.