WOODSFIELD — The Ohio Department of Transportation agreed to partner with Monroe County to aid in its annual spring litter cleanup.

The county was unable to hold the litter cleanup last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving the sides of the roadways in need of a little extra TLC this year. During the cleanup, volunteers will pick up discarded trash along the roadways, helping to improve the community.

The person or group that picks up the most bags of trash will be offered an undisclosed prize, courtesy of the soil and water department.

The Monroe County Board of Commissioners is planning to hold the litter cleanup sometime in April, though it remains in the preliminary stages as discussions continue on the exact details and dates for this year’s event.

Brian Shields, transportation administrator for Monroe County ODOT District 10, met with the board Monday to discuss the cleanup.

Commissioners Diane Burkhart, Bill Bolon and Mick Schumacher asked if ODOT would be willing to partner with the county for the litter cleanup. Shields originally said ODOT had not been given the green light yet to participate in gatherings, including the annual Adopt-A-Highway program.

However, following the meeting, Schumacher said he received some good news. He said Shields reached out to say ODOT has lifted the gathering limitation and the project can move forward with the department’s assistance. Schumacher said ODOT will offer safety classes for anyone interested in participating in the cleanup.

“It would be great if people would take the opportunity to do that,” he added.

The instruction will occur while residents are in the field. ODOT officials will alert volunteers of items to avoid and how to mark dangerous discarded materials with flags, such as hypodermic needles. Once the flags are placed near the items, the sheriff’s department is contacted and will come collect the materials.

“If they come across something that looks questionable, mark it with a flag, tell us where it is and we’ll have a deputy come out and check it,” Schumacher said.

Schumacher said he hopes to hold the litter cleanup throughout the entire month of April, while Burkhart would prefer to hold it in a shorter time frame.

“I would prefer to hold it the entire month because people don’t always have the opportunity to get out, and if you get rain three or four days, you won’t have much success,” Schumacher said.

Schumacher said the cleanup must be held next month before the county begins mowing in May. If the litter is not picked up prior to mowing, the equipment could shred the litter, causing a larger mess.

All residents and groups are invited to participate in the cleanup. Schumacher said garbage bags, grabbers and safety equipment will be provided.

“We’re anxious to get people involved. Anyone can participate — they just have to show up and clean up,” he said. “We want to make sure we can get the county looking good.”

Commissioners will further discuss plans for the cleanup during their next regularly scheduled meeting set for 9 a.m. Monday at the courthouse.