Sterling         Township         Highway         Department Newsletter Article for spring, 2016 Even    though    we    had    very    little    snow    this    past winter   our   roads   still   took   a   toll.      We   will   be   doing a    lot    of    crack    sealing    on    our    streets    this    year.      Please   be   aware   of   the   workers   and   flaggers   and help keep everyone safe. Yard waste schedule has been changed.   We   will   be   picking   up   yard   waste   only   one   (1)   day each   week   and   that   day   is   Monday.      You   must have   your   yard   waste   out   by   6:00   a.m.   for   pick   up.     Small   sticks,   branches   and   leaves   must   be   put   in yard   waste   bags   or   in   containers   marked   with   an “X”.      Containers   heavier   than   40   pounds   will   not be   picked   up.      If   a   homeowner   decides   to   trim   a few   branches   from   their   trees,   they   must   be   cut up   into   4’   to   5’   lengths.      We   will   only   pick   up   larger piles   of   branches   due   to   storm   damage.      Example, if   the   home   owner   decides   to   take   down   a   tree   by themselves   or   hire   it   done,   it   is   the   responsibility of   the   homeowner   to   dispose   of   the   debris.      There will   be   no   burning   allowed   on   the   township   right of    way    including    the    ditches.        We    ask    for    your cooperation   in   not   blowing   grass   clippings   onto our   roads   and   highways.      Wet   grass   becomes   very slippery   and   also   a   safety   hazard   for   pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. Right    now    we    are    assessing    our    roads    to    see where   the   major   problems   are   so   that   these   can be   repaired.      Other   work   along   our   highways   will include     blacktop     patching,     curb     replacement, shoulder      widening,      guard      rail      replacement, mowing and weed spraying. This   is   just   a   reminder   to   please   pay   attention   to all   signs   pertaining   to   construction   work   along   our roads.      Also,   slow   down   in   work   zone   areas   and please stay off your cell phone. Our   summer   hours   will   be   from   6:00   a.m.   to   4:00 p.m.    Monday    thru    Thursday.        If    you    have    any questions     or     concerns     please     call     our     office during   those   hours   at   (815)   625-2785.      If   we   don’t answer   we   are   working   on   the   roads   so   please leave   a   message   and   we’ll   get   back   to   you   as   soon as we can. Thank you. Sterling Township Highway Department Highway Commissioner, Dana Stutzke