MARION — There’s a new kid on the block when it comes to Arbor Day events, and this one is helping clean the block for others.

George Linzee, part of the stewardship committee at the First Congregational Church of Marion, appeared before the Board of Selectmen on April 16 to request permission for a sidewalk sweeping event that would beautify the village on April 26.

He proposed that volunteers would help to pick up some litter, but mostly sweep up the sand and salt that has accumulated along Main Street, Front Street and South Street. Linzee and other planners believe the effort will make the street more safe for seniors, children and improve the area’s aesthetics. 

Linzee, the congregational church and other area churches invite village residents to come together in the morning, in the Congregational Church Community Center parking lot.

From there groups of volunteers will sweep sand into the gutters, and organizers will coordinate with the Department of Public Works to have the have the street sweeper come through just afterwards. 

He explained that the sweepers would stick to the sidewalk to avoid traffic hazards and that the event would wrap up before the Boy Scouts service project in Washburn Park that afternoon.

Chair of the Board of Selectmen, Norm Hills, joked that the event would be BYOB or bring your own broom.

The event got approval from Town Administrator Paul Dawson, as long as the organizers reached out to Interim Superintendent of Public Works Jonathan Henry again to coordinate on plans.