Swapping Uniforms for Bags, Athletes Clean Heights

Armed with gloves and garbage bags, members of the high school track and wrestling teams took action in helping to keep their borough clean.

More than 100 high school teens took part in this “Athletes in Action” litter-free event this past Saturday. They began the day at the where they met up with coaches, members of the DPW and Environmental Commission who got them started in their mission.  

Councilman David Gonzalez explained this used to be an annual event up until a few years ago. At that time the event was receiving little response so they had put the brakes on it. Now they hope to get it going regularly once again, he said.

The athletes were bused over to the area of Terrace Avenue by Route 17 where members of the DPW were on hand to assist them. DPW Superintendent Bill Spindler said this is an area that was in real need of attention.

Spindler explained that this area along Route 17 South from the Hackensack border up to the ramp to Terrace Avenue, is cared for by the state Department of Transportation, but they are unable to clean-up the area often enough.

The athletes got to work inspecting the area and quickly filling up garbage bags with debris. Most said they were finding bottles and plastic bags. One group of students found part of a car’s fender lying in the brush.

Jeff Licamelli and Dave Palimieri of the DPW loaded up a DPW truck with the bags and bags and debris to haul away.