1. What do we do with the garbage we pick up? The City will pick up any litter you collect as long as you leave it near the roadside and let the Highways and Bridges Department know you have left it (924-9277).
2. Where can we get gloves and garbage bags? Bags and gloves may now be picked up at the Community Center Parks & Rec office and at City Hall in the Mayor's Office (2nd floor). Please take only the amount you need. Gloves at the Community Center are latex while the glove in Town Hall are cotton. Trans-Clean Corporation, Sears, and CT Waste Transfer donated bags and gloves. (Professional Tire is also donating bags to Belden's Bums).
3. Does our event have to be on Earth Day? No! Shelton Clean Sweep is very flexible. Do it when you can, preferably that week, but this is not critical. Shelton Clean Sweep will be capped off on May 3 with Clean Sounds Housatonic River Clean-up at Sunnyside Boat Launch.
4. What hazards should I be aware of? Poison ivy is very easy to get in April - wear long pants and gloves. The tiny leaves are just starting to open and are often red. Sharp objects, such as glass, nails and needles may be a hazard. Traffic can be a hazard: Streets may be closed to traffic by the Police Department if requested, but some cars will still go around the barriers and speed down the road - posting an extra sign or having someone at the road entrances to explain the clean-up is suggested.
5. I know of some land that needs cleaning - can I select that property even though I don't see it listed? Yes. If it is private property, be sure to obtain permission first.
6. How do I get my neighbors involved? It's much easier than you think - many people are willing to become involved as long as someone ELSE starts the ball rolling. We have created a flyer template you can use. The form is an MS Word document - you can either print out the form and fill it in by hand, or use your computer to complete the flyer. Download the Neighborhood Event flyer. Just pick a date, time and location, fill out the flyer form, and distribute to your neighbors. There may be some neighborhood kids willing to distribute the flyers for you.
7. How do I get a street closed? The Police Department may be able to close the street for you. Stop by the Police Station and fill out a request. If approved, they will drop off road barriers before the event for you. Major streets or state highways cannot be closed. Note that there may be too many requests for street closures at the same time as we approach Earth Day, so plan early and check with the Police before you send flyers out to your neighbors. You might need to schedule your clean-up on a different date in order to have the road closed. Note: Some cars will ignore the barriers - if you have children in the road for this event we suggest you post large signs near the barrier that say kids will be in the street, or have volunteers talk with each driver that wants to go past the barriers.
8. How can I participate without organizing an event? Check out the list of scheduled events for one that is open to the public. Clean Sound's Housatonic River Clean-up on May 3 is ideal (they give out food, T-shirts and you may get a boat shuttle to the pick-up location). Meet at Sunnyside Boat Ramp any time between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm. You can also simply pick up litter along the street in your neighborhood, or even on your own property.