The clock is ticking.

A visit soon from St. Nick is on the horizon, followed by the New Years countdown.

Add a countdown to the seasonal closing of the Marshalltown Compost Facility.

Marshalltown residents who have been procrastinating taking leaves and yard debris to the facility should do so as soon as possible.

That is because it will close for the season at the end of business Dec. 6, leaving but 11 days (it is closed Thanksgiving) for procrastinators to get the job done.

Justin Nickel, public works director, made the annual announcement at Monday night’s council meeting.

Before the Nov. 20 snow storm, which left five inches of the white stuff over everything, the facility was taking in thousands of leaves daily.

Favorable weather up to then had motivated Marshalltonians to rake leaves and trim bushes and trees.

The facility opened March 28, and Nickel said the season has been a good one.

“Revenues were up slightly either at the end of September or October,” he said.

Tree debris and yard waster are the only items accepted at the compost facility, since the local landfill does not accept trees, branches, leaves, brush, or yard and garden waste for disposal.

The street division processes the materials into wood chip mulch and compost, which is sold to residents at the facility.

This fall many customers were bringing in city of Marshalltown approved compost bags full of leaves.

There is no charge to dump those. A fee is charged for other bags.

All non-approved bags and other containers must be removed.

Marshalltown approved bags are sold at a number of local retailers and the compost center.

Hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; and 12-4 p.m. Sunday. it is located at 900 Woodland Dr. in Riverview Park.

Nickel said residents, as per tradition, will be able to drop off Christmas trees at a designated site outside the facility’s gate in late December.

For more information, call 641-754-5745, or visit the city’s website at ci.marshalltown.ia.us.