The City of Victoria has announced the 2012 branch chipping program, starting Feb. 13, which collects branches that residents place on the boulevard.
This year, there is a significant change – branches must be at least five centimetres in diameter, and at least 1.2 metres long. In prior years, virtually any size of tree or shrub branch was accepted. This year, residents with a non-conforming pile of branches will have to dispose of it themselves, either by schlepping it in their vehicles to the city public works yard on Garbally Road, or hiring someone to haul it away.
I suspect that what the city does plan to collect this year amounts to perhaps 10 per cent of what they used to collect, judging from what residents put out in past years. So, once again, the city reduces the service they provide to residents.
I do not hold out hope for a corresponding reduction in fees/taxes.
Roel Hurkens
Victoria
