By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

On Friday afternoon, City of Marion employees Rick Burcky and Rocky Lindgren were filling potholes in alleys — alleys that earlier in the week they were driving along to pick up residents’ trash.

Marion City Council’s decision in April to reduce trash pickup to one time per week did not reduce the city payroll, but it did free up time for Burcky and Lindgren to work on other city projects.

“This is working out pretty good, because these potholes have needed work for a while, and trimming trees is a never-ending job,” Burcky said Friday.

He estimated that they can repair two to three blocks of alleys in a day, depending on the number and size of potholes. However, Burcky expected to complete six blocks Friday afternoon because they were in good condition.

“It’s surprising how much rock some of these holes take,” he said while filling a pothole in an alley between Coble and Thorp streets.

City Administrator Doug Kjellin said it seemed appropriate for Burcky and Lindgren to do the alley repairs, because the city’s heavy trash truck is a primary source of damage to the alleys.

If trash pickup were still twice a week, the city would have done the alley repairs as manpower was available, but it probably wouldn’t have been this year, Kjellin said.

When alley repairs are completed, Burcky and Lindgren will assist with city projects in other departments, Kjellin said.