Help Keep Morristown Clean on Saturday

Do you hate seeing litter in our beloved Morristown? Have we got an event for you.

The annual "Speedwell Avenue and Beyond Cleanup" is scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday. Volunteers don't need to pre-register—just show up at the fire house on Speedwell Avenue, grab a trash bag, a pair of gloves and get ready to work.

"I absolutely love this one," said Kathleen Margiotta, Morristown's Clean Communities Coordinator and lead organizer for the event, which began in 1990. "It's not a lot of work and speaks to what we do. People who care about Morristown can give just two hours of their lives."

What originally began as an effort to clean up trash on Speedwell Avenue has, as the name indicates, gone beyond. "We're hoping ths week to really engage residents in Phoenix, Cobb and Budd Street," Margiotta noted. "There is no limit to whatever area's in need above and beyond Speedwell."

Tied into the annual event, at 11 a.m., , which is celebrating its 25th anniversary.

Refreshments and information tours will be available.

Since last year, the town has installed concrete aprons and asphalt pavement to eliminate dust and mud issues at the center. It has also had new fencing, landscaping and signage installed, as well as a new office trailer and message center.

"The overall effect is to make the facility much more enjoyable for all town residents and businesses to use," said Jeff Hartke, director of Public Works.

"The town has worked hard to improve the services at the recycling center," Margiotta said. "It's clean and easily accessible. It's just a nicer experience going down there. We want to highlight this."

The event coordinator noted, trash remains an issue as evidenced in the need to hold the cleanup every year.

But, over 22 years, the amount picked up for every event has gradually dropped, and that's encouraging, she said.

"There is way less trash than there was even 10 years ago," Margiotta said. "That's what keeps me positive."

And, it's not just her that gets pleasant vibes from the annual "Speedwell Avenue and Beyond Cleanup."

"I like that people feel good about doing this," Margiotta said. "It's an outlet to demonstrate their care for the town. You just need the desire to help out."

In the event of "heavy rain," the cleanup will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6.