VERG Neighborhood Leaders Bob and Avis Licht knew their neighbors were concerned about neighborhood fire hazards, and everyone agreed that private property and common areas needed cleanup.
Inspired by their involvement in Firewise, they took the initiative to coordinate the cleanup of vegetation and clearing overhanging tree limbs. Knowing that it was more efficient to do all the work at once instead of neighbors working individually, they organized a crew to do the entire area in a day. For private property, homeowners paid separately, common areas were divided equally.
The project took advantage of the free chipper day to eliminate costs for chipping and hauling. The resulting fee for common area cleanup was nominal, and the work done for individual homeowners was far less expensive because of their planning and coordination.
Now Salix Ave is completely cleared of dead grass, branches, poison ivy, growth around propane tanks, and scotch broom, and there are no overhanging branches on the road. It has never looked better or been safer. Everyone is thrilled.
Learn more about how VERG and Firewise can support action in your neighborhood, go to: sgverg.org/firewise.