New Providence residents can once again buy leaf vacuum permits online after the borough fixed a broken application link.

The borough announced Monday, Oct. 19, on its CivicAlerts page that the permit link is active again. Permits cost $60. They can be purchased online through the borough's leaf collection page or in person at the Borough Clerk's Office. The deadline to buy one is Thursday, Nov. 12.

The vacuum permit is one of three leaf disposal options New Providence offers this fall. Residents can also bag leaves in cans, open containers or paper bags for Monday curbside collection through the week of Dec. 7, or hire a landscaper to haul them away. Landscapers who blow leaves to the curb must follow the borough's pickup schedule and purchase a permit.

How the vacuum program works

Permit holders must display the permit in a window or door visible from the street during their collection week. Leaves go in the roadway at curbside, no earlier than the Thursday before the scheduled pickup and no later than 6 a.m. Monday of collection week.

The borough splits pickups into two zones with three passes each:

  • West side (South Street to the Berkeley Heights line): weeks of Oct. 26, Nov. 9 and Nov. 30
  • East side (Summit line to South Street): weeks of Nov. 2, Nov. 16 and Dec. 7

Residents on county-maintained roads, including Springfield Avenue, South Street, Passaic Street and Mountain Avenue, do not need a borough permit. Union County Public Works handles vacuum collection on those streets. The borough advises corner-lot residents on county roads to buy a permit only if their leaves will be placed on a borough street.

Rules to keep the vacuum running

Piles must contain leaves only. Sticks, rocks and other debris clog the vacuum equipment. Only leaves from your own property may be placed out for collection.

Questions about the program can be directed to Ralph Parlapiano, the borough's Public Works manager, at 908-665-1076.

Key dates

  • As of Oct. 19: Leaf vacuum permits available online or at Borough Clerk's Office ($60)
  • Thursday, Nov. 12: Deadline to purchase a permit
  • Monday, Dec. 7: Last Monday curbside can/bag collection