CHAPEL HILL - The Town of Chapel Hill Public Works Department has announced that it will relax its rules to permit the placement of larger vegetative storm debris and piles of debris at the back of the curb for collection through Aug. 13.

The maximum allowed length of vegetative debris during this grace period is six feet in length. The piles should not exceed 12 cubic yards (standard dump truck load), to facilitate collection. This service is only available for areas damaged by the storm or experience storm damaged on July 24.

Residents are encouraged to place their debris at the curb for collection as soon as possible.

Stumps will not be collected by the Town of Chapel Hill.

Residents who use private tree and yard waste removal companies to assist with storm debris removal are encouraged to ensure the companies haul debris to the landfill. These companies generally include cost of debris removal in their contract price.

Debris Disposal Methods

In order to speed loose debris collection, residents should prepare storm debris as follows:

• Cut trees and limbs in lengths of six feet or less

• Stack debris at the edge of pavement or behind the curb for collection

• Do not block the roadways, bike lanes, sidewalks, fire hydrants, water meters, mail boxes, storm drains, utility boxes, or places that will interfere with sight distances at intersections.

Yard Waste Carts

Prepared storm debris or other yard waste materials will be picked up once per week on the normal scheduled yard waste collection day.

Yard waste placed in yard waste roll carts, brown paper yard waste bags, or other rigid containers should not exceed 30 gallons or a 50 pound weight limit.

Storm debris should be cut in lengths of four feet or less, tied with bailing twine, and weigh no more than 50 pounds per bundle.

Loosely-prepared debris is more difficult to collect, but will be collected as soon as possible through Monday, Aug. 13, but not as part of the regular scheduled collection.

Leaves and yard waste placed in plastic bags will not be collected. Residents are encouraged to use town yard waste roll carts for the collection of yard waste. Yard waste roll carts are available from the Public Works Department at 919-969-5100 for $47 per cart.

Other Disposal Options

Residents may haul their storm debris directly to the landfill located at 1514 Eubanks Road, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.

Residents may rent a 12 cubic yard container for yard waste on a daily or weekend basis as the equipment is available. Public Works will deliver a bulk container to a residence, leaving it in a location that is accessible to the delivery truck and convenient to the resident. Containers may be rented for $20 per day Monday through Thursday or $25 on Friday for the weekend. For more information, call 919-969-5100.

Stumps will not be collected by the Town of Chapel Hill.

The Town will assess broken limbs on trees overhanging rights-of-way. If residents observe this condition, call 919-969-5100 or email publicworks@townofchapelhill.org.