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Oscar would be proud: Teen Team to paint more garbage cans

MILLERTON — Now that spring is in the air, the Village Board reported on Monday, March 18, that the North East Community Center’s (NECC) Teen Team will soon be painting village garbage cans to bring a little extra color and cleanliness into Millerton.

Coinciding with the celebration of Millerton Earth Day, the North East Community Center (NECC) invited volunteers to take part in its fifth village-wide clean up last April. In one day, volunteers from the local community, Maplebrook School and the NECC’s own Teen Team collected more than 20 garbage bags filled with trash. To make the job more attractive, the Teen Team decided it wanted to paint a number of garbage receptacles in the village with bright colors and designs.

With the arrival of the Fall for Art festival last October, the Teen Team designed and painted images on the two trash cans on South Center Street in Millerton. As residents took notice of the newly-painted receptacles, the village asked if the Teen Team would be interested in painting more garbage cans. 

“Not only do they get to see their work of art displayed in town but they’re really advocates about keeping the village clean and safe and promoting programs for their peers,” said NECC Teen Program Director Jackie Osnato. “I think it brings creative excitement to the village and also helps keep the village clean. I think it’s a good activity all around.”

“It shows that the two entities are working together,” said Mayor Debbie Middlebrook in reference to the NECC’s collaboration with the village of Millerton.

On Saturday, April 27, members of the NECC Teen Team plan to paint two more garbage cans, this time in Veterans Park, with bursts of color and creativity.

Lakeville Journal

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