To the Editor:

I left Hopewell Borough Saturday morning, aiming to be “early” for the Hazardous Waste collection day scheduled for 8 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Fire Service Training Center on Lawrence Station Road. My car trunk was filled with nasty items accumulated over 40 years! Arriving at the receiving station, I was greeted with a mile long (yes, clocked) line! To leave? Or not to leave? Some cars bailed and the line inched forward. Slowly. Very Slowly. But it was still only 7:59 a.m.

Suddenly, we started moving at an astonishing rate. No need to turn off the ignition. Inches turned to yards. The entrance was in sight! A very cheerful, lovely looking lady checked my driver’s license to confirm Mercer County residency. Cars snaked one way for chemicals, another for chemicals and electronics. Incredibly efficient and friendly men waved my car forward so they could unload the trunk, whipping cans into shopping carts and dashing them away! The guys worked with such speed and good cheer it entirely erased the pre-8 a.m. worry of spending an entire morning throwing out stinky smelling liquids! In a flash, I was OUT, following the well-marked “driveway” created within the parking lot, and on the way home. The time? 8:26 a.m.

How did they do that? Process a mile long (and growing) line so easily and pleasantly? The secret must be somewhere in the brain trust and teamwork of the Mercer County Improvement Authority. I’m sending up BIG thanks this morning to the folks that made doing the “right” thing with hazardous waste, such an easy, easy chore!

Jinny Baeckler

Hart Avenue, Hopewell