In the past, the City of Sparta has tried to be very accommodating in leaving its brush dump open and unattended, allowing easy access to the site. Unfortunately, this creates risk for us, as sometimes people bring wood waste to the site from outside the city limits, or dump other unacceptable items there. This creates extra work and disposal expense for the city, and is unfair to our taxpayers.

Therefore, we would like to clarify the following guidelines for dropping off material in our brush dump. Failure to follow these guidelines will lead to stricter control and enforcement, which doesn’t benefit anyone. Unauthorized dumping of garbage, appliances, furniture, demolition debris, wood waste from outside city limits, or other unauthorized material may lead to this site being closed to the public permanently.

1. Brush Dump Hours: Although the brush dump may be left open while the crew is using it regularly, residents should not rely on this. Instead, they should call City Hall at 269-6511 to arrange to have the dump opened when they will be hauling.
2. City Residency: Brush brought to our site should generate from land within city limits only. Others don’t pay for it, and shouldn’t use it. The exception is the use of our wood chips: we have so many of these that non-residents are welcome to come and get some.
3. Brush Piles at Curbs: Brush piles left at city curbs should be small enough to be removed by the crew in 30 minutes or less. Otherwise, the resident should phase their work to space out the workload, or can bring some of the brush to the dump themselves.
4. Logs and Stumps: The crew is able to collect logs on boulevards, but these should be cut to lengths of 4’ or less. Of course, it may be better to make this available to others as firewood. Stumps over 24” in diameter should not be left on the curb or brought to the brush dump, as these cannot be ground up or burned. Residents are encouraged to have these removed by a stump grinder rather than dug up.
5. Leaves/Yard Waste: Monthly curb-side collection only includes brush from trees—not leaves, grass, or yard and garden waste. These materials should be composted separately, and residents are encouraged to set up their own sites whenever possible. The city composts in the following ways:
a. Leaves: The city will collect leaves from boulevards in the fall, with exact timing depending on the weather.
b. Yard/Garden Waste: The city will collect these items from the curb one week during the spring (watch the newspaper for the dates). These materials should be in separate piles from brush, garbage, etc.
c. Grass: Due to the volume of this material generated throughout the summer, the city does not pick up grass clippings. However, clippings can be dropped off in a concrete bay behind the Street Shop at 1134 S. Water St.
d. Garbage/Construction Debris: These items are inappropriate for composting sites, and should not be included with organic items for disposal.
6. Paid Contractors: The main intent of the brush dump is to provide a disposal site for the brush of city residents. In our experience, paid contractors bring in much more waste than is typical, presenting a serious grinding expense to the City. They are also being paid for their services, and should not be provided free disposal. Therefore, contractors will be charged $10 for every truck or trailer load of waste wood they bring to our brush dump. Proof that the wood was generated within the city will be required.

As you may have heard, we found out on April 7th that the Emerald Ash Borer has been found in Vernon County. A year ago, it hadn’t been found anywhere in Wisconsin, and now it is less than 40 miles away.

This tiny insect threatens every ash tree in our community. Unfortunately, if and when it arrives, our boulevards will be lined with dying trees that create safety hazards and must be removed. The number of ash trees on private property in Sparta is not known.

One piece of good news is that Sparta took some big steps toward preparing for the EAB last year. Using a DNR grant, we had all of our ash trees inventoried on boulevards and in the parks and golf course. A forester identified 165 publicly owned ash trees that were in poor or very poor condition, and those were removed over the winter. Much of the wood from these trees was made available to area residents for firewood, decreasing our workload and providing a valuable asset to those citizens. Most of these boulevard trees are being replaced this spring with other species, adding diversity to our urban forest.

Other steps that are being considered include partnering with Xcel Energy to cut ash trees that are under power lines, since these have to be aggressively pruned to avoid conflicts. We hope that Xcel will cut the trees, the wood can be available to residents, and low-growing replacement trees can be planted under these lines. We have enacted new ordinances to help us better prepare for a Borer infestation. A public information meeting was held here last fall, with forestry professionals offering helpful information on the EAB threat. The state studied six of our ash trees last fall to check for the EAB, but didn’t find any. We want to establish a better marshalling yard to handle wood waste from public—and perhaps private—ash trees affected by the Borer.

Although we were hoping to avoid cutting healthy ash trees as long as possible, now that the EAB is near, we are planning to cut small but healthy ash trees starting next winter. This will reduce the number of trees we have to remove when the borer arrives, and will allow other species of replacement trees some time to get established.

You may be wondering what role you can or will play in the EAB threat.
• First, never move firewood into or out of Monroe County! People moving firewood, pulp wood, or nursery stock is the cause of the quick spread of this insect.
• Second, stay informed. Let the Public Works Department know that you would like to be kept informed of EAB developments in Sparta. Information is available for ways to identify the EAB.
• Third, if you—or someone you know—have a use for the wood waste (firewood, lumber, wood chips, etc.), please contact us so we can make the best use of this material.
• Finally, understand your options for disposing of trees on your property that may be affected. Although removal of private dead ash trees will be the property owner’s responsibility, the City may be able to provide a disposal site for the waste.

Treatments are also available to save your ash trees. Although the cost of such treatments are prohibitive for the City to use, you are welcome to pursue this option for ash trees on your property or boulevard.

If you have questions about the EAB, contact the Public Works Department at 269-6511.