ADOPT-A-ROAD PROGRAM INTRODUCTION

Thank you for your interest in the Adopt-A-Road Program (AAR). This program was introduced in the spring of 2008 as part of the Town of Plainfield Stormwater Quality Management Plan.

The Adopt-A-Road Program is a vehicle for local groups, organizations or individuals to adopt a road with the Town of Plainfield. Your application to this program pledges that you will clean up the area along the road adopted, and maintain it for a minimum of two (2) years. This includes picking up cans, bottles and litter. The adopter will bag the litter for collection and the bags will be collected by the Department of Public Works (DPW). You assume all liability for volunteers participating in the cleanup events.

Plainfield DPW will provide supplies such as safety vests, trash bags and gloves. The Plainfield Street Department will be notified of the road adoption so that the adopter's name can be printed on signs to be installed along the street, providing recognition in the community. The Town of Plainfield will determine the final wording to be placed on the official AAR signs, which are furnished and installed by Plainfield DPW.

To qualify for a posted adoption sign, the business, organization, or individual must agree to:

1. Adopt both sides of a Town street in Plainfield (total distance will be agreed upon in advance by the Department of Public Works and the organization)
2. Adopt the road for at least two (2) consecutive years
3. Clean the adopted road at least four (4) times per year
4. Hold the Town of Plainfield free and harmless of all liability in connection with this program. The adopter assumes all liability and responsibility for all volunteers participating in scheduled cleanup events.

An application form and guidelines are attached. When the application is approved the Department of Public Works will send a confirmation authorizing the adopter to conduct scheduled cleanups, and confirm locations for collecting filled bags.

Questions about this program shall be directed to Patty Seymour (317)839-3490 or by email at pseymour@town.plainfield.in.us.

ADOPT-A-ROAD PROGRAM GUIDELINES

1. Roads must be adopted for a two year period which may be renewed for an additional two years. Businesses, civic organizations, community groups, volunteer clubs and families will be considered for permits.

2. The program may be modified in scope, altered in any other manner or terminated at any time solely at the Town's discretion.

3. Program participants are encouraged to recycle material collected from their adopted section when it is feasible.

4. The group shall agree to pick up litter a minimum of four times a year, with one pickup scheduled for early spring and one for the late fall. The spring pick up shall be coordinated with the Town of Plainfield Community Clean-up Event.

5. If any group is perceived not complying to agreed upon cleanups, the MS4 Operator will notify the group. If after 15 days the adopted road is not cleaned up, the group's participation in the Adopt-A-Road (AAR) Program shall be cancelled and the AAR signs shall be removed.

6. Supplies will be issued by Plainfield DPW to the organization. Such supplies include safety vests, trash bags, latex gloves and safety signs. Each member of the group will be required to wear a safety vest the entire time they are present on Town Right-of-Way. Safety signs provided by DPW shall be used during the cleanup. No member shall walk or stand on the paved portion of the roadway or indiscriminately cross the pavement.

7. Safety training shall be provided by Plainfield DPW. Such training will be determined when the group has been approved to participate in the Program.

8. All scheduled cleanups shall be prearranged with the MS4 Operator.

9. The Town of Plainfield will determine the final wording to be placed on the official Adopt-A-Road (AAR) signs, which are furnished and installed by Plainfield Department of Public Works. Logos, inappropriate words or supplemental signs shall not be placed on the official AAR signs.

10. Groups shall not place signs, posters or other display material in the adopted section during the pickup.

11. Volunteers cleaning up a town road must be at least 12 years old. Groups that include members between the ages of 12 and 16 shall provide supervision by at least one adult 21 years of age or older, for every ten members in the 12-16 age group.

12. Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages or controlled substances is strictly forbidden for AAR participants on Town Right-of-Way. Volunteers may not participate in any AAR activities while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.

13. The Town of Plainfield may terminate the agreement and/or remove the AAR signs bearing the program participant's name, in the Town's sole judgment, it finds and determines that the group is not meeting the terms and conditions of the agreement; finds that the group is acting contrary to the guidelines of the program; finds that the adoption is proving to be counterproductive to the program's purpose; finds that undesirable results such as increased litter, vandalism, or sign theft are resulting from the adoption and/or finds that the program participants have engaged in irresponsible conduct within their adopted section of highway.

14. Each person that intends to be present on the Town Right-of-Way and participate in the cleanup operations must sign and return a waiver agreement to be provided by the Town of Plainfield. Participants under 18 years of age must have the waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian.

To view the application click the PDF icon at the top of the article or click here