STRATFORD — The town’s annual town-wide spring cleanup program, Project Green Sweep, will be begin at 9 a.m. May 2, with a kick-off rally on the Town Hall Green, Mayor James R. Miron announced.
Miron, the Stratford Beautification Committee and the Stratford Conservation Commission sponsor the all-volunteer project.
This year’s clean up is being recognized for the first time as part of Keep America Beautiful’s national Great American Cleanup, which involves over 17,000 communities in clean up efforts nationwide, a statement from the town said.
"Making Stratford a beautiful and healthy place to live has been a primary focus of my Administration," Miron said in the statement. "I encourage all Stratford residents to join Project Green Sweep and help improve the environment of our town."
Last year, more than 200 volunteers participated in Project Green Sweep. Along with the River Clean-Up, a joint effort including boat clubs and the surrounding towns of Milford and Shelton to clean up the Housatonic River shoreline, the groups involved collected eight truckloads of debris totaling 28,800 pounds or 14.4 tons, the statement said.
"In the past, public response has been overwhelming and we look forward to a similar effort this year," said Beautification Committee Chairman and Councilman J.R. Stroomer.
"Our goal is to enhance the beauty of our town, and we welcome participation from anyone and everyone who loves our community," added committee member and Councilwoman Amy Wanamaker.
The town will again combine its efforts with River Clean-Up. In addition, civic, social, business, youth, scout and religious groups have made commitments to help in the cleanup in areas of concentration such as highway entrance and exit ramps, public greens, parks, forests, beaches, walkways, school grounds and other highly visible areas of town. Volunteers are also being sought to aid in the effort by cleaning up their own neighborhoods.
Participants will receive complimentary T-shirts with the Project Green Sweep logo, bottles of water and light refreshments at 9 a.m. on Town Hall Green. All are asked to bring tools. However, gloves, bags, rakes and trash posts will be distributed to those who are unable to provide their own.
To volunteer in the spring cleanup, interested persons should contact Town Planner David Killeen at (203) 385-4017 or at dkilleen@townofstratford.com.