The Somerville City Council committee heard an update April 7 that the Department of Public Works will pilot an adjusted yard‑waste collection calendar this year to address constituent requests.

Per an email summarized by Yasmin Udassy, legislative liaison, DPW and its vendor will move the start of weekly pickup back one week in October and add an additional week in December as a cost‑neutral pilot. “Moving the start week back a week in October and adding another week in December… would be a cost neutral solution,” Udassy said, describing the plan and the vendor agreement to pilot the change.

The pilot will shift alternating every‑other‑week yard‑waste pickup to weekly service starting the third week in October, and the department will reevaluate the pilot at the end of the year to determine benefits and operational impacts.

Councilors and residents praised the swift administrative response. Director Oliveira noted the city’s Pollinator Action Plan guidance advising residents to delay cutting stalks and leaf cleanup until May in some areas to support habitat; councilors asked staff to share educational materials and translated brochures as outreach follows the pilot schedule.

DPW said the pilot is intended to be cost neutral and will be reassessed after one season.