By Anne Mazar

Anyone who walks, jogs or bikes along Mendon’s roads knows that the melting snow has revealed a disturbing amount of trash. It is unsightly, detrimental to the environment and harmful to wildlife. Even though we did not put the trash there, it is a good feeling to clean the roadsides to beautify Mendon.

Roll up your sleeves: The kickoff event will be on April 18 from 8 a.m. to noon; rain date will be May 2. The full cleanup will run from April 18-May 9.

Mendon Superintendent of Highway, Grounds and Facilities Jon Dudley wants to make the town cleanup kickoff an enjoyable gathering of people who want to help out.

“In the last few years, the turnout has not been that good, collecting only 100 bags of trash. We want the kickoff to be a fun and successful event,” he said.

To this end, there will be free coffee and pastries offered by Century 21 Custom Home Realty at the April 18 kickoff. People will be able to sign up for a street(s) to clean. There will be trash grabbers, vests, trash bags and latex gloves available. After people finish the cleanup, there will be burgers, chips and drinks.

To make the kickoff more festive and educational, there will be the following:

• A comfort dog with the Department of Conservation and Recreation Rangers
• Mendon Conservation Agent Isabella Genova with an interactive Enviroscape watershed model showing how different pollutants affect our waterways
• Tighe & Bond with information on stormwater management and how we can help to not pollute our waterways
• and more …

The street signup will begin on April 18 at the kickoff and online on the website. Trash bags will be available at the Board of Health and the Highway Department during office hours from April 18-May 9. Bags will also be available 24/7 at 32 Hastings Street (Route 16), Suite 20, first floor vestibule adjacent to the Muffin House.

Scouts, honor students and others may be able to get community service hours. Dan Byer Mendon Parks and Recreation Director offered to assist with the process. Email Dan Byer

Mendon Inspectional Services Coordinator/Health Administrator Jack McLellan encourages past and new volunteers to help out and hopes that people can make the kickoff event. The Town of Mendon thanks you!

For more details visit MendonMA.Gov/Clean-Up