Project Description

Meet Cesar Villon – Clean Communities Coordinator.

Ringwood, NJ

(Passaic County)

Cesar, How did you get started with Clean Communities?

I worked with the DPW for 7-years with responsibility for the playgrounds, parks and ballfields.
Through this work I became aware of how necessary it is to do routine cleanups.
When the Clean Communities Coordinator moved out of state, I was the natural fit.

What different hats do you wear at work?

Recycling Coordinator
Clean Communities Coordinator
IT Director
Phone system
Contract Negotiations
Educational programs
Inspection & Enforcement.

What have you done that’s outside of the box?

One day I asked a questions: How can I make it easy for people to get rid of the items they don’t need without adding to the waste stream?  An answer appeared, I promoted it and it just keeps getting bigger.

So, what is this “mystery” program?

The Ringwood Town Yard-sale.  We average between 300-350 homes in our community who sell, and between 1,200 1,500 people who come form Ringwood and many surrounding communities.  We have people come form NY & PA as well.

How do you know how many participate?

Each home registers and lists up to 3-items or categories of their address. Then they receive their official sign.  This info then gets entered on to the map with a reference to their address form the tax map.
At 8:00AM: The buyers can start to register their car and plate # at town hall, then they receive a zoned map map and direction/detail sheets. (download here)  Since most participants spend the day in Ringwood, lunch coupons and incentives are sold in add space in the detail sheets.  This does not cover all of the printing at this point but offsets the overall cost. It has been a very successful program.  I’m glad to share the details with other coordinators.  They can call my office phone if theres any way I can help, (973) 475-7179.
Ringwood Garage Sale Map
Ringwood Garage Sale Ledger

Who is Cesar at home?

My wife and I just celebrated our 30th anniversary.  We have 2 sons in their mid- teens, Louis & Christopher.  Our family is very involved in Ringwood Sports: Baseball, Soccer, & Basketball.  I spend as much time with my kids as possible.  If we get a rare weekend off from sports we enjoy the Jersey shore, the Catskills, or hiking.

What is your favorite date with your wife?

Our favorite is to take the whole family to Prime 15 in Ringwood NJ
A Prime 15 steak and a Heineken go very well together!