Never mind Adopt-a-Highway. This NJ town asks you to adopt a storm drain to fight flooding

You can adopt a puppy or a road or a highway in New Jersey. In honor of Arbor Day, one North Jersey community is asking residents to take their dedication to the next level. Westwood's Adopt a Storm Drain program encourages neighbors to claim a piece of local infrastructure as their very own, with a promise to keep it free of litter and debris in hopes of easing flooding in the often-deluged town. The program is getting a new boost as part of a monthlong celebration of Arbor Day, which this year falls on April 26. Westwood is holding five events to celebrate the holiday, including tree plantings and litter cleanups around town. It'll also reveal the results of a study to determine the age of the beloved copper beech tree in downtown Westwood.

Participants can sign up via a form online to “adopt” a drain near their home, a commitment recorded with the borough’s deputy clerk. The program has been going on for at least three years, but officials hope the Arbor Day festivities help generate more interest.

Why adopt a storm drain?

“It’s the honor system, but the hope is that you look at that storm drain all year round and monitor," said Dan Zambrano, chairman of the borough's Shade Tree Advisory Committee. “We take daily walks and we make sure there isn’t any leaf litter clogging it.”

Drains that get cluttered with litter contribute to the already poor flooding conditions in town, where even minor storms now cause problems, Zambrano said. Newspapers, he noted, are one of the main culprits. Zambrano said he helped remove five gallons' worth of papers clogging up drains and streets last week. He has officially adopted two storm drains near his house and also unofficially watches over the others on his street.

“If we all collectively pick up litter or monitor things, even though the DPW does clear storm drains from time to time, we can reduce water pollution and keep our neighborhood beautiful,” Zambrano said. “We can stop debris from entering our waterways and keep everyone aware of their community.”

The borough recommends checking the drains twice a month and also before and after big rainstorms, during leaf collection season and when snow begins to melt. Residents who spot a potentially dangerous item or need help fishing out debris should take caution and contact the Department of Public Works at (201) 664-2349, the town says.

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Westwood events for Arbor Day

The borough's Arbor Day celebrations kicked off April 6 at Gritman Pond with the opening of a new walking path and a litter cleanup.

The next event is scheduled for April 20 at 8:30 a.m. at the DPW Recycling Center at Harrington Avenue and Sand Road, where attendees can learn how to “leave the leaves” on their property to turn into mulch. Zambrano will show participants how to use a lawnmower to create mulch. It can be used around trees and shrubs as fertilizer, he said.

“You’re reducing the burden of the town picking up leaves," Zambrano said, adding, "You don’t have to spread out your own fertilizer that can pollute waterways.”

Participants can join the Environmental Advisory Committee from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. to clean up nearby Westvale Park after the leaf presentation, Zambrano said.

Downtown tree may be one of NJ's biggest

The downtown copper beech tree will be feted on April 24 at 7 p.m. at Veterans Park, where the age of the tree will be revealed thanks to a study conducted by arborist Liz Stewart. Westwood also plans to nominate the specimen to be a part of the state's Big and Heritage Tree program.

The tree study is intended not only to find the age of the tree, but also to make sure it's healthy, as there is currently a beech leaf disease going around New Jersey, Zambrano said.

The Arbor Day festivities will wrap up on April 27 at 10 a.m. at the Westwood Public Library with woodturning demonstrations. The property will also receive a tree for planting that will one day provide shade for people participating in outdoor library activities, Zambrano said.

Stephanie Noda is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email: noda@northjersey.com

Twitter: @snoda11

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NJ flooding mitigation plan asks residents to Adopt a Storm Drain