Homeowners in Lincoln County should not expect county crews to pick up vegetative debris, supervisors said in Monday’s regular meeting of the board.

Many Lincoln County residents experienced downed trees, limbs, leaves and other vegetative debris in their yards toward the end of and after the severe winter weather system that hit the county beginning Feb. 14.

County Tax Assessor Blake Pickering told the board his office was receiving multiple calls asking about pick up, and asked the board to clarify an answer.

“No, the county is not picking up vegetative debris from people’s yards,” said board president and District 4 Supervisor Eddie Brown. “Crews are not available and we have no place to dump it.”

Brown explained that unless an official disaster declaration is made, no extra crews become available to perform the work required for county-wide debris pick up, and no new dump sites are made available.

Such declarations are made by the office of Gov. Tate Reeves or the office of Pres. Joe Biden.

Members of the board discussed the issue but no vote was taken.

“There are no official plans to pick up biodegradable debris across the county,” Brown said.

While crews have picked up debris blocking drainage ditches and roadways, pick up of general yard debris piled at the roadside by a land owner was not a feasible option for the county, he said.

For residents with large enough yards or properties, creating debris piles will likely not be an issue. Those with larger debris, or those who are elderly, infirm or have mobility issues may need to contact family, neighbors or professionals for help with removal and disposable of storm debris. Homeowners who incurred damages from such debris are encouraged to contact their insurance providers.

 

County spring cleanup

The county’s annual “Keep Lincoln County Beautiful Spring Cleanup” will begin Thursday, but vegetative debris is one of the excluded categories of items to be accepted for disposal.

Other excluded items are paints, oil, any hazardous materials, commercial rubbish and commercial tires. Scavenging is also prohibited.

Crews will be in District 1 Thursday-Saturday at Jack Morris Gas, at the intersection of Hwy. 84 and Hwy. 583.

District 2 disposal will be March 11-13 at the Old Keystone Ballpark on Industrial Park Road.

District 3 will be March 18-20 at the Shell station to the east of I-55 off Exit 30.

District 4 will be March 25-27 at K&S at the intersection of West Lincoln and Jackson-Liberty roads.

District 5 will be April 1-3 at Case Grocery, at the intersection of California Road and Hilltop Lane.

County residents can utilize any location, regardless of district residency.

For more information, contact Lincoln County Solid Waste Coordinator Bob Knight at 601-757-2568 or rknight@co.lincoln.ms.us.

 

City cleanup

Brookhaven Public Works Director Keith Lewis told The Daily Leader that city crews are picking up storm-related yard debris along with regular debris from yard cleanup that is placed at the roadside, just as the crews regularly do.

“We are behind due to the week of ice because they did not pick up that week,” Lewis said.

City property owners are asked to be patient and understanding as crews work to catch up, as weather allows.