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Leaves from 20,295 yards have been collected so far this season -- roughly 58% of the usual seasonal haul, Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said.
Given the heavy dropping of leaves after recent rains, tt's taking village employees two or more additional days to complete the one area before moving on to the next, she said.
"Please bear with us, as we do our best to clean up as much volume as possible before the Thanksgiving holiday," Sonenfeld told residents in an email.
The village is collecting 32,000 to 35,000 yards of leaves across 95 miles of roads – "a real challenge when coupled with the vagaries of weather," she wrote.
"Operational issues" with Ridgewood's new Area B contractor have also caused delays, though he is being monitored closely, she said. Still, the contractor has collected double the amount in the season than last year's, Sonenfeld wrote.
"Net-net this makes collection more cumbersome for the present time, but bodes well for the remainder of the season as the bulk of the leaves are down or have been collected," Sonenfeld said. "Therefore the last weeks of collection should be easier."
Officials are also monitoring various areas due to violations early on which require an in-court appearance.
"On my own block, I witnessed leaves being placed in the street two days after the collection period," Sonenfeld said.
Free leaf-collection bags are still available for pick up at the Recycling Center.
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