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By Jim Buice
For the Clemmons Courier

Between its new Clemmons Quaran-Clean initiative and approval of an Adopt-A-Street Program in Monday night’s village council meeting, Clemmons is attempting to do its part to reduce trash in the community.

Mayor John Wait brought up the increasing problem of litter and trash along with the streets in a February meeting, which led to more discussions and action.

The council unanimously approved the Adopt-A-Street Program, which has been established for community and civic organizations as well as private businesses and industry “to contribute toward the effort of maintaining cleaner and more beautiful streets in the Village of Clemmons. “The purpose of the village’s Adopt-A-Street program is to encourage community residents and organizations to adopt a village street or streets and keep them clean and litter-free. The adopted street(s) are to be cleaned no less than every three months in an effort to maintain a healthy environment and to produce feelings of pride.”

In the previous meeting, councilwoman Michelle Barson asked about moving forward with a program for maintaining municipal-maintained streets and to see about letting staff put together a proposal. The council agreed by consensus.

When composing the agreement, Village Manager Scott Buffkin said he researched about a dozen of these kinds of documents and found them all to be similar.

Barson asked about any kind of financial commitment from Clemmons in doing this program.

“At this point, the only contribution that would be expected from the village would be the placement of the signage and providing the bags, the vests and that sort of thing when they’re working, and then going around and collecting the bags,” Buffkin said. “It’s a nominal cost for the village.”

Meanwhile, the Clemmons Quaran-Clean program, which got started recently, also provides individuals or groups the opportunity to volunteer to help pick up trash along the roadways of Clemmons.

Shannon Ford, marketing and communications director, said that 121 people have registered so far and that 35 bags of trash have been picked up in the last two weeks.

“We thrilled with the turnout to date,” Ford said. “We are so thankful for everyone that has participated and their commitment to a healthier and cleaner community.”

Individuals can register online at Clemmons.org/quaranclean by selecting a date between now and May 31. Reflective vests and trash bags will be provided to each group. Village staff will collect the bagged trash from the designated streets once the work is completed.

In other highlights from Monday night’s meeting, the council:

• Received an update from Emily Harrison, stormwater engineer, that there were 158 participants for Monday’s Operation Medicine Drop at the Clemmons Fire Station on James Street with 137.71 pounds of medication collected. Buffkin added that this was a new record for the annual event.

• Received a Transportation Advisory Committee update from councilman Mike Rogers from the March 18 meeting, including consideration of the Unified Planning Work Program for the Winston-Salem Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization dealing with a bike and pedestrian study in the village that was moved from the 2020-21 budget year to the 2021-22 budget year — and was voted unanimously to be approved.

• Called for a public hearing for Zoning Docket C-239 – a Zoning Map Amendment for real properties owned by TMP of Clemmons LLC, known as vacant parcels used by Animal Ark Veterinary Services located at 3507 Lawrence Street from RS-15 (Residential, Single Family) to LB-S (Limited Business – Special) for property containing .43 acres.

• Was reminded that the annual retreat will be held Tuesday, March 30, at 9 a.m. at village hall.

• Heard in the marketing/communications report that the Clemmons Farmers Market’s Easter Pop-Up Market at the Jerry Long Family YMCA will be Saturday, April 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and that E-Recycle will be Saturday, June 26, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Public Works Facility.

• Approved an authorizing agreement with VC3 as the internet provider for the village. Buffkin said that this goes along with the program discussed last month with dividing out the VoIP service from the IT provider section.

• Was officially introduced to Caroline Drake, who is the new planning technician for the village.