FAIRMONT — Fairmont Public Utilities customers should watch their mail for coupons for free disposal of items during the four upcoming city cleanup days when items can be dropped off at the Martin County Highway Department, 1200 Marcus St.

Coupons were sent out Wednesday in a separate mailing than utility bills.

Little has changed in the cleanup program over the last four years. City utility customers are mailed coupons to dispose of two tires, two appliances, two electronics and 10 household items free of charge. Also included in the mailing is a list describing the types of items that are acceptable in each category and the cost if you have additional items.

No construction debris or household hazardous waste will be accepted as part of the city cleanup program.

Special collection days at the county highway building have been set for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, June 11; from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, June 15; from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10; and from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 14. Collections will take place rain or shine. Coupons must be presented at the entrance.

In addition to these four days, Prairieland Solid Waste, 801 E. Fifth St. N., Truman will accept appliances, electronics, household items and furniture from 7-11 a.m. and from 1-3 p.m. weekdays from May 1 through Dec. 31. Coupons must be presented at Prairieland when dropping off items.

Prairieland does not accept construction debris or tires, but household hazardous waste is accepted from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesdays only from May to September.

Some residents have expressed a desire for a curbside collection of items as was done in a four-day program in 2014, but the drop-off process is more cost-efficient and curtails non-residents from “dumping” items on city streets.

“In 2014, my estimate of the total cost of curbside cleanup was $185,000,” said Troy Nemmers, city engineer/public works director. “That cost dropped to $75,000 in 2015, which was the first year we used coupons.”

Nick Lardy, park and street department superintendent, said the 2014 curbside pickup netted almost 81 tons of appliances and electronics. That translated into 16 semi loads. The following year, which was the first year of the dropoff program, the amount of appliances and electronics dropped to 60 tons.

Lardy also requested that people with large trailers or trucks full of items take the load directly to Truman, which would cut down on labor and expense for the city which ultimately hauls the items to Prairieland.

The annual cleanup program is financed through a line item on each public utility bill sent to residents and businesses. Each customer pays about $2 per month to support the effort.

The city of Fairmont offers two additional programs for its citizens as part of the effort to eliminate clutter and dilapidated buildings. Property owners who would like to tear down a garage, house or other building can apply to the city for financial assistance prior to demolition. The city will pay half of the demolition cost up to $5,000. There are no income restrictions for this program.

The city’s newest program subsidizes the cost of a one-week dumpster rental. Details are still being finalized, but families with low or very low household income, based on HUD guidelines for Martin County, will qualify. HUD guidelines for a family of four in Martin County list low income as $55,600 and very low income as $34,750. The cost for qualifying residents would be a percentage based on their level of income.

For more information, contact City Hall at (507) 238-9461.