Jim Esterbrook,
Franklin DPW GIS Manager, said there was a good turnout for Franklin's Earth Clean cleanup activities. He worked with some groups before hand to coordinate where they would clean so they would save some time traveling to Beaver Pond to check in and then go out to their area. The cool weather may have held the turnout down although the athletic fields are Beaver Pond were busy with teams practicing.
Dave Labonte (standing beside the booth in the photo below) of the Franklin Citizens Rail Trail Committee, co-sponsors of the clean up, split time securing the tent and table from being blown over by the wind, and answering questions about the groups activities.
The 5K road race on the former Putnam property on Saturday, April 23 will help to create awareness for the rail trail as well as serve as a fund raiser for the group. Information on
the race can be found here.
Pictured in the photo (from left to right): Colleen Kleya, Kevin Silvia, Brian O'Connell and Justin Kleya.
At the Whole Foods Market parking lot in Bellingham,
the Grass Gypsys bundled up to stay warm, entertained the crowd.
David Dobrzynski coordinated the efforts for the 12th Annual Clean Up along the Charles River. He thought the weather played more of a part in the turnout than the schedule. It was the start of school vacation for Franklin and other communities but the cool wind and overcast skies did not help. Several of the canopies were blown over in the parking lot and were taken down due to the high winds. One scout troop had been scheduled to participate with 30 scouts and showed up with 16.
A good deal of trash was removed from the Charles River shores. One disturbing trend reported in three different spots was that gas or oil cans were found leaking along the shore. "This is our water, you'd think by now people would have gotten the message." The important point was that while participation was down from prior years, "We left the place cleaner than it was so that is a good thing."
For additional information on
Recall last year
125 tires were removed from Mine Brook
Franklin, MA
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