Environmental Club Plans to Adopt a Highway

By Sierra Delucchi

Staff Writer

 

      The Environmental Club is currently waiting to hear from the Mass Highway Association on their pending request to adopt a highway. The location of the highway is unknown until they hear from Mass Highway, but they do know it will be near the Northampton area. Environmental Club has combined with the Community Service Club on this project.

     “It was everyone’s idea [to adopt a highway], but I just kept it rolling,” said Nick Pray, a leading member of the club.

     The plans for the highway are still unclear until it is officially adopted. The club does know that they have to clean and maintain the highway once a month. The Mass Highway Association provides safety gear for people to wear and materials to help the clean-up process. As for a name, the club is unsure of that as well. They will receive a sign saying: “Adopted by Northampton High School”.

      “Talking about being green is one thing, but actually doing something about it shows how dedicated we are,” said club advisor Dan Moylan. “You can’t just talk the talk; you have to walk the walk.”

     The steps to adopt the highway were fairly easy. The Environmental Club contacted the Mass Highway consultants and explained they were interested in adopting a highway. The highway they receive is absolutely free.  They looked over highways that are available in the Northampton area and chose a few they were interested in. The Mass Highway Association sent a safety DVD for the club to watch that explained all the safety issues and regulations the club must follow once they adopt a highway.

     “It gets us involved and gives us something positive to do,” said Pray.

     Environmental Club is looking forward to owning the highway and getting started on the project. The projected date for officially owning the highway should be in the fall, but it could be sooner

The Devil's Advocate is the official student newspaper of Northampton High School.