'It is a concern': Milwaukee Co. residents share frustration over large piles of snow and leaves in the streets

MILWAUKEE COUNTY (CBS 58) -- Piles of leaves mixed with snow are causing frustration for people in Milwaukee County.

It was a full house at the 5th District Town Hall meeting Monday, with residents sharing their concerns over messy roads.

“It is a concern, because people, they have to do alternative parking, and with these piles, they don’t have places to park,” said Alma Butler, a longtime Milwaukee resident. “So, it’s very difficult."

Residents say it’s making it harder to navigate the roads and leaving less room for street parking.

It was a packed room, as 5th District Alderman Lamont Westmoreland held a town hall.

Westmoreland says plowing and leaf collection are among the biggest complaints he’s received from residents this year, and that was evident from the number of residents who showed up and spoke out.

The Milwaukee Department of Public Works attended and said the snow and cold temperatures interrupted leaf collection season.

DPW says they are now able to continue bulk leaf consumption but are focusing on the larger piles. They say the smaller piles of leaves may remain until the spring.

Residents say something needs to be done now, not later.

“I want to see these streets clean, like they are supposed to be doing,” said Milwaukee resident Rose Lane.

DPW says they are doing what they can but say they don’t have the staffing to keep up with garbage pickup, leaf pickup and snow cleanup at the same time. They say with more snow expected this week, it could take a while for them to get to leaf cleanup.

DPW says residents can report large leaf piles by submitting a request at milwaukee.gov/Click4Action, through the MKE Mobile app, or by calling 414-286-CITY (2489).