McMinnville Brush Pickup Schedule Changes With Hope Of Better Quality

Some McMinnville citizens left confused following a brush pickup schedule change by the city’s Public Works Department.

The change was enacted by the department in July with the hope that new routes would ensure better quality service. McMinnville Public Works Director Frank Southard said the department would often fall behind with the old schedule, leading to aggravated citizens. Southard said once they hear about the new pickup schedule, many citizens actually prefer the change.

“I think the more they’re learning about it, the more they like it,” Southard said. “Whenever we first started it, I had told some about it and they thought that it was real good.”

Southard said previously his department was trying to pick up brush on the same day trash was picked up, but never finished the routes. Southard said that the new system has drivers picking up brush on different routes a week at a time.

“It’s really working out good for us right now because, in that week’s time, we are getting all the brush picked up most of the time,” Southard said.

Southard said that his department runs brush pickup every day, and if they get done early they begin the next scheduled route.

“It’s a little easier to do,” Southard said. “In my opinion it is. Just because you know what route to do, you know to do this certain route this whole week and you’re not rushed as much.”

Southard said under the new route the first week of the month is the Forrest Park, Civic Center, and Milner Center areas. Southard said the second week covers north of the bypass going from Cadillac Lane and Bobby Branch Road. Southard said the third week focuses on the center of town from Sparta Street to Chancery Street. Southard said the fourth week is the West River Side and Westwood area.