Public Works continues Cary yard waste collection

Those are the people wearing dungarees and reflective vests.

They arrive in a convoy – one man per truck so as not to be crowded together. Once in the neighborhood they hop on, and hold on.

"Right now is pretty rough. It's a lot heavier than normal," said Jarvis Utley.

Utley is a crew leader for the Town of Cary's yard waste collection.

Utley noted, "A lot of people stay at home and they have nothing else to do. So, they're out in the yards and they just overwhelm us."

"These guys are usually pulling a load and a half a day. Now they're picking up two and a half loads a day working 10 hours, 11 hour days," said Scott Hecht.

Cary's Public Works Director Hecht pointed out this time of year is always busy.

"But clearly, as we expected because so many people are home, it's even worse," said Hecht.

Robin Foshee added, "I go out walking at least once a day and I see people all over the place in their yards"

Foshee thinks now, more than ever, the services often taken for granted should be celebrated.

"It's an amazing group of people. They're like a family. They haven't missed a day. They don't ask for much. They help each other. It's pretty neat to see," said Hecht.

They are essential. Necessary for us to maintain a little normalcy right now.

"I never really thought about it. Somebody say that about me or my crew, so it feels a little good," said Utley.

For now, the Town of Cary plans to continue weekly yard waste pick-ups. The Town of Wake Forest is suspending yard waste pick-up beginning Friday.