With the calendar turned to May, Altona's Public Works team is kicking things into high gear with a variety of Spring clean-up efforts now underway. Mayor Harv Schroeder shared some of the details with CFAM Radio 950 Morning Show Host Chris Sumner Wednesday morning during the latest edition of In the Mayor's Chair.

"The Town of Altona has a new street sweeper this year, and it’s started cleaning up the streets," noted the Mayor. "We’ve had many people asking when we’re going to start cleaning the boulevards. Our Public Works team will begin as soon as possible, we are just waiting for the ground to dry enough so that we won’t be making ruts and ruining the grass."

Schroeder noted sewer flushing will begin soon, and it will be slightly different this year than previous years, so keep an eye out on the Town's social media for updates. The Town is also looking for a youth group or a youth team that wants to organize a clean-up effort on the properties surrounding the landfill. Everything needed will be provided. Contact the Town of Altona office at 204-324-6468 or email us at communications@altona.ca for more information.

Meanwhile, Altona's annual Emergency Preparedness Week will take place May 5th to 11th, and it will include the community's annual outdoor emergency warning siren test May 6th at 12 p.m. The siren will sound for 4 minutes to test the equipment. Meanwhile, Thursday May 9th from 6:00 to 8:30pm an Emergency Preparedness Expo will be held. 

"This free event will take place at the Millennium Exhibition Centre, and will be an opportunity to learn about Emergency Management, how to keep your family safe in an emergency," said Schroeder. "There will even be emergency vehicles and safety equipment you can tour and check out up close." 

And Spring Clean-Up Week will take place at the end of the month, with May 24th and 25th curbside giveaway days, and May 30th and 31st curbside branch collection time. Waste Drop-Off will be happening at the Altona/Rhineland Waste Disposal site from May 27th to June 1st. Altona residents can take advantage of this for free if you bring proof of Altona residency. More information is available on the Town's website, or in the mail-out that all Altona residents will be receiving soon.