The director of Public Works for the Town of Newtown has announced the schedule for the debris clean-up following Tropical Storm Isaias.

Originally announced to begin "sometime on or around" August 17, the project has been pushed out a few days — to Thursday, August 20 — due to road blockage delays, Public Works Director Fred Hurley announced August 14.

Residents can also take debris to the town transfer station, on Ethan Allen Road, “for which there will be no charge for any size wood until the cleanup is completed,” Hurley stated in a press release.

In the meantime, town crews continue to clear one lane roads and obstructions that are the town’s responsibility, he added.

Employees of Eversource and communication companies will continue to clear low wires and tree hangers in wires that have not cut service but still represent a danger. This work will be ongoing and will continue during and after the resident pick-up.

Only storm debris — limbs, branches, and similar type debris — from the August 4 weather event is FEMA eligible. That is all that will be picked up.

All debris must be within the 10-foot right of way next to the road, but not in the road.

Residents can put debris into a trash can, which crews will dump and then leave. Piles of branches can be tied up if a homeowner wishes to do so. That step, says Hurley, is not required.

Brown paper leaf bags can also be used to hold debris. Plastic bags are not to be used.

“We will try to be as respected of your property as possible,” Hurley said. “For everyone’s safety please stay at least 75 feet away from the work/cleanup zones.

“Distractions or flying debris can injure residents or the workers, so please try to cooperate making everyone safe,” he added.

Quadrants And Schedule

The town will be divided into four quadrants. Hurley expects to need three days per quadrant to complete the program prior to Labor Day weekend.

Town crews will pick up both sides of each border road, he said.

Quadrant 1 — Thursday through Saturday, August 20-22:

East from Poorhouse Road to Cemetery Road; continue east on Sugar Street/Route 302 to the intersection of Main Street/Route 25; continue north on Main Street, and then north on Currituck Road; then north on Hawleyville Road/Route 25 to the Brookfield town line;

Quadrant 2 — Monday through Wednesday, August 24-26:

Going west from Lake Zoar, all roads north of I-84 until Washington Avenue; then north on Washington Avenue to Church Hill. Church Hill to the intersection with Main Street, then north to include all roads east of Main Street and east of Currituck to the Brookfield border;

Quadrant 3 — Thursday through Saturday, August 27-29:

All roads south of I-84 from Lake Zoar to Exit 11; then west of Washington Avenue, south of the flagpole, and south on Main and South Main Street/Route 25 to the Monroe border; and

Quadrant 4 — Monday through Wednesday, August 31-September 2:

All roads west of South Main Street from the intersection with Sugar Street/Route 302 to the Monroe border. Also all roads south of Sugar Street to Hattertown, and all roads south of Cemetery and Poorhouse to the Bethel border.

For additional information, Hurley can be reached at 203-270-4300.