'Green' Team Works Hard to Clean Up Public Spaces

Today may be Earth Day, but one Westwood resident and Eagle Scout candidate is already ahead of the game. 

Less than two weeks ago, on Saturday, April 9, gathered with nearly two dozen volunteers at to pick up trash and clean any remaining debris in the area as part of his Eagle Scout project that falls in line with this year's Earth Week Cleanup, which begins tomorrow.  

"I counted 10 trash bags, four recycling bags, and among other weird things, a paddle boat, circuit board, and a metal pipe," Somers said of the April 9 event. "We had 23 volunteers from 5 to 75 years old who showed up."

Somers, of Troop 3 Westwood, is looking to create, organize, and lead the volunteers, which he has dubbed The Westwood Green team. The team comprises a changing group of volunteers to meet at a number of pre-determined public spaces throughout town on a near bi-weekly basis.

The volunteers will then cleanup around those areas, and carry out various improvement projects to make them "greener." 

"(The) cleanup was a huge success," Somers said of the first cleanup at Buckmaster Pond. "When driving by Buckmaster, you notice how much cleaner it is. You may also notice the new 'No Swimming' sign. All were completed by volunteers who are dedicated to making Westwood a nicer and better place."

The next cleanup will be on Saturday, April 30, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at Deerfield Elementary, and from 12 to 2 p.m. at Thurston Middle School.

Anyone with questions or interest in helping can contact Somers at ks1776@comcast.net.