Community invited to Pocasset River cleanup

By PETE FONTAINE

When Richard DelFino III launched his campaign for the District 1 seat on the Johnston Town Council, he pledged to get more involved in the environment and wanted to begin cleaning up the Pocasset River.

Next Saturday – May 9 – DelFino will co-host the first of what he hopes will be many more Earth Day cleanups at the river, which eventually empties into the Pawtuxet River in the Pontiac section of Cranston.

Earlier this week, DelFino issued an open invitation to any and all Johnstonians who’d like to participate in the May 9 cleanup, which is being coordinated by the town of Johnston and the Pawtuxet River Authority (PRA).

“I am very pleased to be working with the Pawtuxet River Authority to cleanup the Pocasset River,” DelFino said. “This project was one of the initiatives I discussed while campaigning, and I am really happy it is being held this spring.”

The first-term councilman said he “recognizes the importance of supporting projects like the Pocasset River cleanup, with the main objective of promoting environmentally friendly initiatives. I look forward to working with the PRA on this project and any future projects that benefit our great town.”

The cleanup will begin at 9 a.m. at the Pocasset youth baseball field, which is located off Plainfield Street behind Spruce Street. He encouraged people who’d like to take part to bring water resistant footwear and comfortable outdoor work clothes.

Robert Nero, chairman of the PRA, told DelFino that the group would provide tools, gloves, supplies and refreshments, as well as a noontime cookout.

“Richard is really excited about this project,” Nero offered during a recent visit to the May 9 site with DelFino, Mayor Joseph Polisena and Michael Maddalena, a member of the PRA Board of Directors who lives in Cranston. “He also wants people to know that this is a community service eligible project.”

DelFino III launched his cleanup day idea at a Town Council meeting and requested a letter be sent to the PRA. He then met with Nero and Maddalena and discussed details for the event.

Moreover, the PRA received an Earth Day grant from the Department of Environmental Management.

“The town of Johnston will allow access to the river,” Nero said. “A lot of volunteers are needed. Please don’t worry about equipment; that will be provided by the authority.”

The PRA, Nero also announced, will provide lunch and refreshments.

“The Pocasset River is one of Johnston’s longest rivers, starting the Snake Den Park area, traveling southerly through Johnston War Memorial Park on to the Thornton neighborhood,” Nero noted. “Then it runs through Cranston and empties into the Pawtuxet River behind Garden City.”

Nero, who said he expects the May 9 cleanup to be completed by 3 p.m., added: “Sadly, the Pocasset is one of the most neglected rivers in the town of Johnston as well as the watershed of the Pawtuxet River, but Councilman DelFino and the PRA are aiming to change that.”