Friday, July 11, 2014

July 2014 Sign Sweep cleans up County right-of-way areas

On Wednesday, Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services staff participated in the July 2014 "Sign Sweep".

The Sweep team -- about 60 colleagues from the Departments of Environmental Protection, Housing and Community Affairs, Permitting Services, and Transportation -- gathered in the morning for instructions.

The Sign Sweep team in the parking lot for instructions and assignments.

Teams then split up according to their assignments, and set to work.

Sign Sweep team member removes a sign.

The group collected roughly 2,000 signs from County right-of-way areas, and delivered them to the Shady Grove Processing Facility and Transfer Station. They sorted the signs by material, and recycled what they could.
Signs in roll-off container

Look at that pile of metal signs and sign holders, a fitting background for this media interview with Sign Sweep Coordinator Ehsan Motazedi, Division Chief, Zoning and Site Plan Enforcement!
interview in front of pile of metal sign holders

What should you do if you see a sign on a County right-of-way? Let us know its location by calling the Montgomery County Customer Service Center at 311 (or 240-777-0311; TTY: 301-251-4850). 

Please do not remove signs yourself (unless you are picking up your own sign)! Let us take away the signs you spot to:
  • Avoid danger. (We only send out trained staff in removal teams.)
  • Avoid any confrontation with sign owners.
We are planning to repeat the Sign Sweep effort twice a year, but please call any time you see a sign out of place on a right-of-way.

For more information about signs:
  • Political signs (PDF) - Fact sheet on size, placement and required permits
  • Sign permits, including the application process, fees, and more