By Charlene Lovett
By Charlene Lovett
The celebration of Earth Day in April renews our focus on the importance of keeping our streets and waterways clean. It is an unfortunate fact that there will always be people who litter. We can become discouraged by the trash we see strewn alongside roads and riverbanks or we can act. The community’s participation in this year’s events demonstrates our commitment to act for both the benefit of our city and environment.
Recently, I read the 1933 annual report for Claremont and found the following comment by the public health officer: “Another source of trouble is the improper disposal of rubbish by a few seemingly careless people who seem to have little regard for the rights of the public, and no interest whatever in making their town a cleaner and healthier place in which to live. The town maintains a public dump, and it is not too much to ask of any citizen to see that all rubbish and waste matter is taken there, instead of being thrown on some nearby vacant lot, or over some embankment into a brook or river as is frequently done.”
Such a strong statement portrays the frustration felt then. Nearly 90 years later, the issue of littering hasn’t changed. However, our response has and that is making all the difference. Here’s how:
This year, the Claremont Conservation Commission established an anti-litter task force. It has held several public zoom meetings to initiate a Litter Prevention Campaign. Should you be interested in joining this campaign, please contact Jack Hurley at (603) 287-8913.
On April 18, Rocky’s Taqueria hosted a clean-up event focusing on the downtown area. At the same time, the Claremont-Sugar River Rotary did its annual clean-up of Grissom Lane. At the end of the event, the Department of Public Works hauled away 1,100 pounds of trash.
On April 24, the Claremont Kiwanis Club, in collaboration with the Department of Parks and Recreation and Department of Public Works, hosted a clean-up event at the Claremont Savings Bank parking lot. Residents, including our local Girl Scout troop, collected trash around Opera House Square and along Pleasant, Sullivan Board and Main Street. At the same time, the Conservation Commission focused on Ashley’s Boat Landing and the Stevens Brook Conservation Easement. As a result of these combined efforts, 520 pounds of trash was removed. Also that day, the Transfer Station hosted Tire Day, providing residents the opportunity to dispose of unwanted tires free of charge. The station received 2,300 tires.
On May 7, the Ink Factory, in collaboration with the Department of Public Works and area businesses, will be hosting a clean-up event from 9am to 3:30pm. A drive-thru supply pick-up point will be located at the Ink Factory on 13 Water St. Lunch will be provided by Red River, and T-shirts and prizes will be offered. The focus areas for this event will be sections of Washington Street (North to Winter, Winter to Moody, Moody to Parsons, Parsons to Petrin), as well as Water Street, Spring Street and Mill Road/Bridge. During this event, the Conservation Commission will also be cleaning up Stevens Forrest Brook. For further information, please contact Jeff Barrette at (603) 542-2234.
Finally, Claremont recently created an Adopt-a-Spot program, offering residents, non-profits, businesses and other organizations the opportunity to adopt a section of the city. Volunteers in the program will maintain their sections by removing litter and debris, controlling weeds, planting trees and other plants, mulching or identifying/eliminating hazards. If you are interested in participating in this program, please visit claremontparks.com.
These results and the continued expansion of our efforts to address litter is changing the landscape. Not only is our city cleaner, but more people are invested in community stewardship.
Charlene Lovett is the mayor of Claremont and a 22-year Army veteran. She welcomes your feedback. Please email questions, comments or concerns to her at [email protected].
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