Times Observer photo by Josh Cotton City crews will take the wood chipper, among other equipment, to the city’s streets later this month as part of the annual spring cleanup effort.

With temperatures finally consistently up into the 50s, it seems like spring has finally sprung.

And with that comes the opportunity for City of Warren residents to take advantage of the city’s spring cleanup program.

According to Department of Public Works Director Mike Holtz, the program kicks off next Monday, and will run through April 29.

The program “gives residents a chance to clean up their backyards,” Holtz explained. “(We) hope everyone takes advantage of the service.”

According to a notice from the city, items and materials “to be collected include leaves, hedge and brush clippings, tree limbs and branches.

“Lawn refuse must not be mixed with tree limbs and branches, but should be placed in containers such as plastic bags or cardboard boxes. Leaves should be piled separately and not mixed with other material.”

With the exception of Good Friday, when no collection will occur, a different section of the city will be picked up each day.

The schedule is set as follows: April 15, east city limits to Parker St.; April 16, Parker St. to Irvine St.; April 17, Irvine St. to Prospect St.; April 18, west of Prospect St. south of E. Third Ave.; April 22, E. Third Ave. to Frank St.; April 23, Frank St. to Connecticut Ave.; April 24, Connecticut Ave. to Quaker Hill Rd.; April 25, Water St. to Hazel St.; April 26, Hazel St. to west city limits; April 29, entire area south of the Allegheny River.

According to the city, “items to be collected should be placed near the curb or edge of street pavement, not within the street itself and should be set out for collection as close as possible to the appropriate collection day, but no later than 7 a.m. of the day scheduled.”

Holtz said they like to pick up all of the items from a property at one time.

“(This is the) only time the city really offers this service,” he said. “(We) don’t go pick up sticks and brush any week other than” during the cleanup.

He wanted to remind citizens that it’s helpful for tree limbs to be pointed the same direction and for residents to “keep it all organic material.” Stones, brick or concrete, dirt, boards, etc. will not be collected.