FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Doing spring cleaning just got a bit easier in Fort Fairfield, following the return of a program that aids residents in the removal of unwanted items, such as furnishings and appliances.
“After an absence of several years, the Fort Fairfield Public Works Department and the Fort Fairfield Quality of Place Council have teamed together to help property owners clean up their yards and homes by disposing of unwanted items. During the week of May 18, Public Works crews will collect and dispose of brush and yard waste, old furniture and mattresses, large appliances and metal items that are left at the roadside. Crews will not take glass, hazardous materials, paints, electronics or tires,” said Tim Goff, Fort’s marketing and economic director and executive director of the Fort Fairfield Chamber of Commerce.
Goff said a full list of what will and will not be accepted can be found online at www.fortfairfield.org/community-news/142-bulky.html.
“We understand that many homes and business owners have items they no longer want that are cluttering up their yards and homes,” said Public Works Director George Watson. “We want to help them with their spring cleanup by hauling away those unwanted items, but it is vitally important that people work with us to make this process go smoothly.”
“We will only be coming by people’s homes on the date their street is listed on the map and database. We will be leaving behind any materials we deem unacceptable and it will be up to the property owner to dispose of those items properly,” explained Watson.
He said this program went away years ago because people abused it or didn’t pay close attention to the date.
“It will go away again if people do not assist us in this cleanup effort. We are trying this again because we believe it is a valuable service to residents, but the costs and aggravation mount quickly if we have to retrace our steps or chase piles of trash for weeks on end,” said Watson.
Watson said it’s 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,” he said.
Organizers understand residents may not have the ability to haul things themselves, so this will help solve that problem.
“We understand not everyone has a pickup to haul things to the landfill,” said Kim Jones, president of the Quality of Place Council. “This is just one more way we can help beautify the community and provide a valuable service for residents that improves all of our properties.”
Jones said with everyone working together and following the rules, “we can all take full advantage of this fantastic opportunity to make our neighborhoods attractive places to live and visit.”
Residents are strongly encouraged to visit the website or call the Town Office at 472-3800 if they have any questions about the program.
