Bethlehem officials are seeking corporate sponsors to adopt major highways throughout the town.
For several years, the town has been asking for volunteers during the summer months to help clean specified areas throughout Bethlehem in Community Clean Up Days. Volunteers are asked to meet at Town Hall and are provided with bags, red vests and mechanical grabbers to help pickup trash.
But according to Town Supervisor John Clarkson, some more heavily trafficked areas have been ignored for an important reason.
“The assistance from the community has been a helpful tool in keeping the town clean but because children often come to help with their parents … we’ve been avoiding the bigger roads for years,” he said.
Students and youth organizations like the Boy and Girl Scouts also often help on Community Clean Up Days, so the town’s highways are avoided because of safety concerns. The town is now looking for corporate sponsors to help adopt these local highways so someone can help keep them clean on a regular basis.
“There’s usually an ongoing need in these areas,” said Clarkson. “It’s like picking up your room. You don’t just do it once; you have to keep doing it.”
Some of the areas that need adopting include the Delmar bypass between Route 9W and Elsmere; several sections along Route 9W, and Route 144 from River Road to the Little Red School House north into the city. Clarkson said some additional highways in the town need adopting, but those areas represent the biggest concerns.
To learn how to adopt a local highway call Town Hall at 439-4955. The next community cleanup day will by held on Saturday, June 16.