Momentum builds after cleanup at Pocasset River

Volunteers remove range of trash, debris over weekend

CLEANING UP: Johnston Town Councilman Richard DelFino III, left, stands in the Pocasset River after helping free debris from a palate held by John Lockett.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

JOINING IN: Michelle Ferreira and her son Scott, 12, who live near the Pocasset Field, joined the many volunteers who helped make Saturday’s Pocasset River cleanup a huge success.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

READY TO ROLL: Cranston’s Mike Maddelena, a board member for the Pawtuxet River Authority, rolls one of the many tires pulled out of the Pocasset River during Saturday’s cleanup.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

ON THE BANKS: Johnston’s Mike Lusi helped remove all kinds of brush from the banks of the Pocasset River.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

THUMBS-UP: Ross Adrian gives a thumbs-up after pulling milk cartons, a chemical barrel and other junk from the Pocasset River.

(Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

Posted Thursday, May 14, 2015 1:05 pm

Pete Fontaine

There was a great deal of mud and trash, but Saturday’s Pocasset River cleanup coordinated by District I Johnston Town Councilman Richard DelFino III and the award-winning Pawtuxet River Authority was a success.

DelFino was pleased with the turnout, which included Johnston High School’s cheerleaders led by co-captains Keely Fowler and Victoria Calabro, members of the Neutaconankanut Hill Conservancy and Woonasquatucket River and Watershed Council.

Robert J. Nero, chairman of the Pawtuxet River Authority, best summed up the muddy and messy task.

“We had a number of great Johnstonians show up from all points of the town,” he said. “They provided muscle to remove trash, litter and debris from one of the most heavily impacted areas of the Pocasset River.”

Nero, who takes pride in such important environmental projects, emphasized: “We pulled out objects that date back to the 1950s, including tires, mattresses, chemical drums and a sunken canoe.”

Officially, Nero said, “we think we captured at least 30 cubic yards of junk, but there is still more work to do. We need another cleanup. This river area is vastly steadily improved already. We think it may make a great public kayak launching area.”

DelFino, who once played youth baseball on the Pocasset Field located off Spruce Street, agreed.

“I had the opportunity to go into the river with some of the other volunteers,” he said. “As we made our way down stream, we were able to remove garbage, debris and obstructions that have built up over the years. And that’s when you really get a sense of the natural beauty that runs through our town.”

DelFino thanked the Pawtuxet River Authority and “all the volunteers and donors who made this cleanup special. I look forward to working with the Pawtuxet River Authority to continue building on this successful project in the future.”

He gave a special “thank you” to the Johnston High cheerleaders for the work they did cleaning up the areas behind Walgreens and The Original Italian Bakery.

“I was very, very impressed – and proud – that the girls came out to help,” DelFino said.

Although no date has been set for a second cleanup, excitement seemed to build upon completion of Saturday’s event.

“I’m excited that people want to do it again,” Nero said. “Next time we’ll hopefully double or triple the number of volunteers.”