Should have been notified of no trash collection sooner

Friday, Nov. 11, was solid waste pick up day for Edison Road, as well as 120 other Sparta streets. The trash collector however, did not come. A call to the municipal building revealed that there was no pick up due to the landfill being closed in observance of Veteran’s Day. As a veteran, I think that’s a good thing. However, I was told that neither Blue diamond nor the Township knew of this until Wednesday, Nov. 9, just two days prior. Now I’m sure the County Landfill’s holiday schedule was determined long before then, so my question is, why didn’t anyone know? I am located at the start of a pick up route, which means I get up at 6:30 a.m. on collection days to put out the trash. This helps prevent raccoons, bears, and other animals from feeding on it. Mine sat out all day on Friday, luckily undiscovered by any foraging animals. I wonder if everyone was as fortunate. Fridays also happen to be bulk item collection days. As one travels around town this week, one can see old humidifiers, sewing machines, and numerous other household items along the curbs, now awaiting next Friday’s pick up. People wisely pulled back their animal-attracting waste, but the items left at the curb, and in some locations actually in the roadway, are not a pretty sight. I hope the holiday schedules of all parties involved will now be scrutinized to prevent as recurrence of Friday’s surprise. Robert Spence Sparta