Tewkbury's Spring Clean Up a Success

This article was submitted on behalf of the Tewksbury Beautification Committee.

By Karen Cintolo

TEWKSBURY, MA - More than 100 residents including adults and children volunteered for the Tewksbury Beautification Committee's fifth town clean up on Saturday. The committee's mission, to empower residents, businesses and town government to make our town a greener and cleaner place to live received a big boost that day when over 120 bags of trash were collected. Several areas of town including school properties, the library, and countless roads benefited by the group effort.

It was a thrill to see youth groups and sports teams represented as well as individuals, families, and friends. A newcomer to town and resident of Emerald Court, Carol Ferry, invited her friend, Catherine-Ann Creegan to participate, and both were eager to contribute to make Tewksbury a better place. “Rather than complain about the trash, we took this chance to get out and improve things” Mrs. Ferry said.

Interesting collected items include hubcaps, a dead goose, a wallet, car parts, and thousands of bottles, cans, nips, and Styrofoam cups. A few needles were also found and reported to the police department for tracking and safe pickup.

This effort would not have attained the success achieved if not for numerous sponsors. Water donated by Enterprise Bank, goody bags from Salem 5, gloves and vests from Albeco, trash bags from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation, and pick sticks and grabbers from the Tewksbury DPW enabled a successful endeavor. In addition, free raffle items were provided to lucky participants by Wamesit Lanes, MVP, Orange Leaf and AAA Southern New England.

The Beautification Committee will continue its efforts to not only remove trash but raise awareness in many different areas. Several initiatives already in progress such as "Adopt An Island" and "Switchbox Art" will continue and be joined by future efforts to plant trees, support curb appeal improvements, and encourage private citizens as well as businesses to do their part.

One long time resident said, "I think it's important that Tewksbury residents take on the responsibility of keeping not only their own property clean but public areas in the town as well. If we want to take pride in this town, we need to first take ownership of the littering problem and additionally, put forth that little bit extra to help elderly neighbors, volunteer on town initiatives, and do our part to make Tewksbury a better place."

Town budgets are stretched and not able to provide for some of the measures hoping to be addressed by the Tewksbury Beautification Committee. Volunteers who are interested in helping to bridge this financial gap by supporting clean ups, providing ideas for projects, and giving their time, may contact the committee at Clean.Up.Tewksbury@gmail.com. Together we can make the difference.

Courtesy Photos:

TMHS Freshman Elizabeth Ezekiel collected 7 bags of trash in two hours at Bridge and South Streets

Pack 49 Cub Scouts Matt and his dad John Stadtman worked on Livingston Street Park during Clean Up Day.

TMHS Junior Mikayla Dolan helping clean up Andover street / route 133 for her third cleanup. We had to be very careful as there is a lot of poison ivy along this route.