Boro looks to make a clean sweep of things

FRANKLIN-The borough isn't exactly cleaning up its act and taking it on the road, but it's doing something very similar by cleaning up the town by taking it from the roads. For the first time in several years, Franklin is holding a community clean-up day from 8 a.m.-noon on Saturday, April 16. Cleanup crews, comprised of just about anyone wishing to pitch in, will be dispatched from the Franklin Heritage Museum on Main Street. Outfitted with gloves, rakes and trash bags, crews will be looking to perform a true spring cleaning. "It's going to be the whole town, as far as we can reach out," said Mayor Doug Kistle. "We're going to start from the center of town and try to work our way outward." The event is being sponsored by the borough's Economic Development Committee, which is "asking for participation from as many organizations, businesses and residents as possible," said the project's coordinator, Betty Allen. "We're hoping some of the larger businesses would contribute some kind of a lunch afterwards." Endorsed by the mayor and borough council, the event is expected to have many borough officials on hand to help out, along with youths and other town residents. The county is providing the necessary equipment, including hats, gloves and identification vests, Kistle said. Those participating can also bring their own equipment, Allen said. Even those who cannot join the borough's cleanup on April 16 can still help, the mayor added. "What I'm asking is that the citizens who will not be involved in this to please clean up their yards to make it a little easier for our kids and volunteers who want to help," Kistle said