By Dedra Cordle
Staff Writer
Starting to feel that itch to do spring cleaning in and around your home? If so, you will soon have a safe place to unload most of those unwanted materials.
At the Feb. 14 board of trustees meeting, Administrator Shane Farnsworth announced that Jackson Township will once again host an extended cleanup campaign in an effort to mitigate unwanted items found on the side of the street and within the landfill.
“We are so excited to be able to bring back this cleanup campaign that starts in the late spring and extends to the end of summer,” he said.
The township transitioned to an extended cleanup campaign as a result of the novel coronavirus. Prior to the start of the pandemic, the township had hosted a spring and fall cleanup event that allowed residents of the township, the city of Grove City, and the village of Urbancrest to dispose of hundreds of pounds of unwanted household items free of charge.
“It was one of our most popular events – there were literally lines of cars waiting in the surrounding neighborhoods,” said Farnsworth.
To slow the spread of the virus, the spring and fall cleanup event was canceled in 2020 but in its place the extended community cleanup campaign was established.
“We quickly discovered that the community preferred to be able to drop off their unwanted items at times of their choosing and not just one or two days out of the year,” said Farnsworth.
He added that it has been a “real benefit” to the community which is why they do not intend to go back to that model this year.
“There are so many residents who participate in this community cleanup program and we have found that they are not just doing it for themselves – most of them are helping out their neighbors or going out in their own communities and picking up items they found in order to better their neighborhood,” he said.
Starting on May 1, the residents of the township, the city, and the village will be permitted to drop off their unwanted household items at the administration building, located at 3756 Hoover Road, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., holidays excluded. The service will run through Sept. 29.
Items accepted include residential bulk trash, bulk items, scrap metal and tires. The latter item is limited to four per vehicle per trip. Hazardous items will not be accepted, nor will batteries.
E-waste, with the exception of monitors and televisions, are accepted year round; some household furniture that can be repurposed will also be permitted to be off-loaded through Sept. 29. Farnsworth encouraged residents to give the office a call at 614-875-2742 or send an email through its website at jacksontwpfranklinoh.gov for more details regarding items that are accepted or not accepted.
The township will also offer summertime brush pick-up services for residents in the unincorporated areas. The schedule for that service is still being planned; Farnsworth said the schedule will be available in the next township/Local Waste newsletter.
Although anyone within the township, the city, or the village can participate in the community cleanup campaign during normal hours of operation, township officials have requested participants sign in at the office and let them know which materials they are seeking to dispose of.
In other news, the board of trustees have amended its 2023 board meeting schedule, allowing for their second regular meeting of the month to be held on an as needed basis.
Trustee Ron McClure said this action was taken because they do not often have much business that takes place during the second board meeting of the month. If the trustees do need to hold a second board meeting during the month, it will be announced on the township website, www.jacksontwpfranklinoh.gov.
