Tryon Town Council approved giving its town manager $2,000 to get leaf pick-up completed whether it’s through overtime pay or hiring part-time help to do it.

Tryon Town Council met Dec. 18 and heard from commissioner George Baker who made the suggestion.

Commissioner Roy Miller agreed and discussed the dangers leaf piles are causing on Markham Street, where Miller said the leaves have not been collected yet.

Tryon Public Works Director Joel Burrell said on Dec. 18 that his crew had worked 13 days since Nov. 13 and half the town had been completed, or 10 miles of roads. He said the crew has worked eight hours per day on leaves with Tryon staff saying it takes five employees to run the new machine, purchased this fiscal year.

Miller said the leaves are on the street and they are going to cause a safety issue. On Markham Street, he said there are leaves piled 7 feet. high and it’s become an eyesore.

“We’re not talking about an astronomical amount of money,” Miller said. “I think the leaves and cleaning up our town we just have to do it.”

Miller also mentioned how leaf pick up has always been an issue in Tryon with residents like Howard Greene coming to meetings and talking about leaves for years.

“My leaves haven’t been picked up yet,” Miller said. “I like for my yard to look good and for people not to have to drive in the middle of the street.”

Tryon Mayor Alan Peoples disagreed and said there are too many other things the town needs to spend money on.

“Your street isn’t a main road, Alan,” Miller responded. “Your street is a dead end. On Markham, there’s kids on that street.”

Miller said there are leaves piled on both sides of Markham, which is narrow to begin with and the kids are walking in the street.

“We need to get the leaves up,” Miller added.

Council approved giving town manager Caitlin Martin $2,000 to get the leaf pick-up complete but also briefly discussed if the town should contract out the service next year as it has done in the past.