The Bernards Township Beautification Task Force is sponsoring a cleanup of the area around highway ramps leading from Interstate 287 with the aim of presenting a better picture of the township for drivers exiting or entering the highway. Community volunteers are still being sought for "Bernards Beautification Day," to be held on Saturday morning, Oct. 16.

The task force, working in partnership with the township's community service department and assisted by the police department, will target ramps at interchange 30 off I-287 for the beautification project, according to Mayor Scott Spitzer. Spitzer earlier this year appointed the ad hoc committee. 

The event is scheduled to begin with an orientation beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Township Community Service Building at 31 Stonehouse Road. The cleanup is scheduled for 9 to 11 a.m., to be held rain or shine. Volunteers will be transported from the meeting place to and from the project location.

The Community Service building is located next to Basking Ridge Electric. Parking for volunteers will be in the Lyons Park and Ride lot on the other side of Stonehouse Road.

Community organizations that already have agreed to participate in the program include the Rotary Club of the Somerset Hills, Fellowship Village staff, the Basking Ridge Garden Club, and staff from the Veterans Administration Hospital in Lyons. The township community department will provide the volunteers with equipment and materials. Township police will assist with traffic control.

Each volunteer must sign a "hold harmless" waiver in order to participate. Volunteers must be 18 or older. Each will be given pickup bags, gloves, safety vests and pickup sticks.

For more, visit the beautification task force page on the township website.

"This event is a major initiative of our recently formed task force," said Kippy Piedici, co-chairwoman of the beautification task force." It will not only enhance the township's attractiveness, but also raise citizen awareness of the need to pitch in and keep our township clean."

"The teamwork of all these organizations and citizens together with our township resources to improve the physical beauty of Bernards Township residents is gratifying and unprecedented," Spitzer said.