Monessen Cleanup Day, drop-off recycling event set for Saturday

By KRISTIE LINDEN
klinden@yourmvi.com

The City of Monessen will hold a cleanup and recycling drop-off event Saturday.
The event is sponsored by Councilwoman Lois Thomas and Mayor Matt Shorraw
Participants in the city-wide cleanup should meet at 8 a.m. at the Ninth Street Park to get supplies for the work.
The plan is to clean until noon, but volunteers can work longer if they wish.
According to Shorraw and Thomas, the areas that need attention specifically are Ninth Street, including the Ninth Street Park, Sixth Street, including the Sixth Street Park, all of the downtown area, Third Street, Parente Boulevard, Grand Boulevard, State Road, Eastgate Avenue, Parkway and Rostraver Street.
If those areas don’t work for volunteers, they’re asked to clean their own streets or the areas nearest their homes.
The recycling drop-off portion of the event also runs from 8 a.m. to noon and is held at the city garage on Parente Boulevard. It’s for Monessen residents only and proof residency, such as an ID, will be required.
Items that will be accepted include: computer monitors, CPUs/towers, laptops, iPads, tablets, mice, keyboards, speakers, printers, TVs, answering machines, cameras, Christmas lights, camcorders, cell phones, docking stations, electric typewriters, electrical cords, fax/copy machines, gaming consoles, gaming controllers, pagers, radios, remote controls, stereos, tape decks, CD players, telephone systems, testing equipment, VCR/DVD players, cardboard, paper, newspapers, magazines, compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs), fluorescent tubes, halogen bulbs, high-pressure sodium bulbs, led bulbs, ballasts, refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners and dehumidifiers.
Items that will not be accepted include: batteries, furniture, mattresses, incandescent light bulbs, ink/toner cartridges, paints/household hazardous waste, plastics, pianos/organs, medical equipment, small appliances, vacuum cleaners or rug scrubbers.
The day of events are planned in cooperation with Westmoreland Cleanways Recycling Center as part of the “Pick Up Pennsylvania” Initiative.
Shorraw said he hopes Saturday will inspire residents to help “clean up Monessen and showcase the pride we have for our city.”
“By encouraging residents, volunteers and organizations to ‘adopt’ streets, parks and neighborhoods to clean up weeds, trash and debris, we are not only fulfilling goals in our comprehensive plan, but we are also improving morale and rebuilding a sense of community while doing our part to make our city a better place for everyone,” Shorraw said.
Volunteers don’t need to register, but if they need cleanup supplies they should contact the city ahead of time.
In another effort, the city hopes to find volunteers to clear brush and invasive trees from Ninth and Sixth street parks as part of beautification efforts.
Those interested are asked to call city hall at 724-684-9000 for more information.

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