CLIFTON PARK - Town officials along with a number of town employees are preparing for the 17th annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day.

The yearly event allows residents of three towns to drop off various types of hazardous materials found in the average household. Residents of the towns of Halfmoon and Waterford are again being allowed to participate in the Clifton Park disposal day.

The event will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 26 at 22 Ray Road in the Town of Clifton Park. Signs will be posted on roads near the collection site directing participants to the site's main gate.

Anyone wishing to drop material off must register with the town by Sept. 16. Clifton Park residents are allowed to dispose of materials for free. Residents of the two other towns are encouraged to speak with their respective town clerk's about any fees.

Registration forms can be down loaded off the Town of Clifton Park Web site or picked up at the Clifton Park Town Hall. Drop-off times will be assigned using 15 minute intervals. The registration form asks participants for a preferred drop-off time, however times are assigned on a first come first served basis.

Those who register and bring materials to the site for drop off must bring their registration forms with them. Anyone who registers online will be given a drop-off time automatically within minutes of completing the form.

Individual drop-offs generally take less than 15 minutes. Drivers are requested to remain in their cars while dropping the material off. Volunteers greet participants at the site's main gate and direct them to the appropriate drop-off point based upon the material they have registered for drop off.

Last year's event drew nearly 1,000 residents. On Tuesday Clifton Park town councilman Sanford "Sandy" Roth said the town had 554 registrations. Roth helped start the event in 1993 thinking it would be held once or twice.

Explosives are not accepted. This year the event will no longer accept latex paints. Other items that are acceptable include, oil based paints, stains, driveway sealer, mercury and mercury compounds, pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers, acids, solvents, fluorescent light tubes, CFL light bulbs, household batteries, and electronics, computer equipment, and televisions.

For questions or additional assistance residents can call Clifton Park town environmental specialist Mike Montague at 371-6651, extension 215. The town's Web site is www.CliftonPark.org.