file photo by Boyd Loving ,Ridgewood EMS clearing storm drain in Ridgewood
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ,in the spirit of Arbor Day, communities across North Jersey are finding innovative ways to celebrate and care for their environment. While adopting a puppy or a stretch of highway might come to mind, one North Jersey town is encouraging its residents to take their dedication to the next level by adopting a storm drain.
Westwood, a community known for its commitment to environmental stewardship, has launched the Adopt a Storm Drain program, inviting neighbors to claim a piece of local infrastructure and commit to keeping it free of litter and debris. This initiative aims to mitigate flooding in the often-deluged town, offering residents a tangible way to contribute to their community’s well-being.
file photo by Boyd Loving Route 208 in Hawthorne
As part of a month-long celebration of Arbor Day, which this year falls on April 26, Westwood is hosting five events to commemorate the holiday. These events include tree plantings and litter cleanups throughout the town, reinforcing the community’s dedication to environmental conservation.
Participants in the Adopt a Storm Drain program can sign up online to “adopt” a drain near their home, with their commitment recorded by the borough’s deputy clerk. While the program has been in place for at least three years, officials are hopeful that the Arbor Day festivities will generate renewed interest and participation.
photo courtesy of the Borough of Carstadt Route 17 cleaning a storm drain
Why adopt a storm drain, you might ask? According to Dan Zambrano, chairman of Westwood’s Shade Tree Advisory Committee, keeping storm drains clear of litter is crucial for preventing flooding, especially in a town prone to inundation even during minor storms. Newspapers are identified as one of the main culprits clogging drains, prompting residents like Zambrano to take action. He personally oversees two adopted storm drains near his home and keeps a vigilant eye on others in his neighborhood.
The Adopt a Storm Drain program operates on the honor system, with residents encouraged to monitor their drains year-round, particularly before and after rainstorms, during leaf collection season, and when snow begins to melt. By collectively taking responsibility for their neighborhood’s cleanliness, residents can help reduce water pollution, preserve their community’s beauty, and keep waterways free of debris.
The borough reminds residents to exercise caution and contact the Department of Public Works if they encounter any potentially hazardous items or require assistance in clearing debris from storm drains.
In Westwood, the Adopt a Storm Drain program embodies the spirit of community engagement and environmental stewardship. By empowering residents to take ownership of their local infrastructure, the town is fostering a culture of collective responsibility and environmental conservation that benefits both present and future generations.
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I suggest a new mantra for well paid, benefitted and pensioned municipal employees.
Do your job
Soon, Adopt-a-Garbage-Can and you will be asked to take your own rubbish to the dump.
Pathetic
The town needs to hire more staff.
Amazing.
That’s embarrassing. Where is the Dpw? That’s their job to keep basins cleaned.
My street has one storm drain, installed around 15 years ago. (We previously had none, and a fair amount ended up in my basement.) It frequently was filled with leaves and detritus, causing major backups of water during heavy downpours. I arranged with my landscaper to clear the top of the drain (not inside) whenever his crew did my yard. This has worked well for years.
Call the dpw if you see drainage tops dirty. They will come out and clean it.
This is the Liberal Utopian Dream.