Cleanup planned for next week

     FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — The Fort Fairfield Public Works Department will once again help property owners clean up their yards and homes by disposing of unwanted items.

     During the week of May 16, 2016, crews will collect and dispose of brush and yard waste, large appliances and metal items that are left at the roadside. Crews will not take glass, trash, hazardous materials, paints, electronics or tires. For a full list of what will and will not be accepted, visit the town website.

     “We know many folks don’t have access to a truck or trailer to haul away large items and to dispose of their yard waste, so we’d like to give them a hand,” stated Public Works Director Darren Hanson. “To help, we will load up any large appliances or metal items that are brought to the curb and take those off to be recycled.

     “We will also gather up brush, limbs and yard waste that is left by the roadside, but it is important that the items are sorted so our crews can do this as efficiently and effectively as possible.”

     Like last year, crews will only be coming by people’s homes on the date of pickup, and will leave behind any materials deemed unacceptable and it will be up to the property owner to dispose of those items properly. Pickup dates are on fortfairfield.org under spring cleanup.

     “We brought this program back last year, and it was fairly successful,” stated Tim Goff, Fort Fairfield marketing and economic director. “We hope that we can improve the process this year, by limiting the materials that can be disposed of to metal goods, appliances and yard debris and imploring folks to place them in sorted piles by the roadway.

     “We believe there is value providing this service to residents, but the costs can mount quickly if we have to sort through materials or chase piles of trash for weeks on end.”

     It is up to the property owner to bring their unwanted items to the end of their driveway or to the roadside the night before pickup is scheduled on their street. Crews will then gather the waste materials and recycle or dispose of them properly. Public Works crews will leave notes behind explaining why items have been rejected or left behind.

     Residents are strongly encouraged to visit www.fortfairfield.org or to contact the Town Office at 472-3800 for pickup dates or other information.