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New Houston Road Committee plans first trash pick-up

COLUMBUS—Houston Road residents who recently formed a neighborhood committee will have their first trash pick up next Saturday, Feb. 27 to clean the roads. 

The committee was recently formed for residents along the 3.5-mile stretch that runs from Skyuka Road in Columbus to Highway 108 in Mill Spring and includes side roads. The focus areas for the Houston Road Community Committee includes safety and security, which includes working with local authorities to curb crime and speeding; beautification that includes cleaning up litter and communication. The beautification committee is working with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to have 2 annual trash cleanup events, with the first being next Saturday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. 

The alternate date in case of inclement weather is March 6. The committee is asking residents to come out and participate to pick up trash along their section of Houston Road and adjacent side roads. 

The committee is working with the Polk County DOT, who is providing residents with caution vests, trash sticks and garbage bags. DOT officials will collect the filled garbage bags the following week and the Polk County Sheriff’s Office is providing additional patrol that day during the event in order to keep residents safe while walking the roads. 

The 3.5-mile stretch has been divided into zones and there will be a volunteer driving the road to deliver trash bags, vests and sticks. The vests and sticks must be returned after the event. 

People along Houston Road are encouraged to participate. A letter has been sent to all residents with contact information for those willing to participate.