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Carthage Considers Leaf Disposal Options

http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wium/local-wium-887575.mp3

Carthage, IL – There's still a lot of snow on the ground, but the city of Carthage is already thinking about the fall.

Mayor Jim Nightingale says the city will soon consider an alternative leaf disposal option. He says residents are currently allowed to burn leaves because the city does not have the resources to collect and dispose of them.

But he says that's created a problem for some residents, namely those suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma and bronchitis. Nightingale says resident complaints escalated this past fall, prompting him to consider other leaf disposal methods.

"We will talk to our people that [do] recycling to see if they would be interested in doing yard waste, and how much it would cost," says Nightingale.

Nightingale did not say whether he's considering a complete ban on leaf burning in the city, but he says all options are on the table.

He says the city's legislative committee will likely take the issue up at its meeting next month. He wants to have a new policy in place by this year's "leaf-burning" season.