River cleanup raises prospects for collaboration
ANSONIA — A weekend cleanup of the Naugatuck River flowing under the city’s River Walk dredged up a lot more than a few tires, rusted shopping carts and garbage.
Thanks to more than 20 volunteers from all over the state coming together last Sunday on the riverbank, Mayor David Cassetti said more than 50 tires, 300 pounds of metal and six large bags of assorted trash were removed from 300 feet of the river that runs through Ansonia.
In just two hours, Cassetti said the cleanup returned a large section of the river to its natural beauty. The volunteers’ efforts got Cassetti and others thinking of forming some area alliances to ensure cleanups like this happen more often.
“This was a profound example of volunteerism at its finest,” said Cassetti. “They truly did come from far and near, and our river and Riverwalk is better off because of this.”
Several of the volunteers who pitched in were teenagers from the Waterbury Police Athletic League’s River Brigade. They were recruited by local environmentalist Kevin Zak, founder of the Naugatuck River Revival Group.
Zak has dedicated his life to restoring the 40-mile river to its natural beauty, and said Sunday’s cleanup served as a shining example of good
things that can happen.
“This is a great example of the North and South coming together and making a difference in a common cause,” Zak said. “Because of this I am hopeful Ansonia will start its own River Brigade.”
One of Waterbury PAL’s River Brigade members, Roma Rositani, 19, of Waterbury, jumped at the chance to pull on her waders and get to work when Zak contacted her group.
“I’m a big environmentalist, and I care a lot about the rivers and oceans,” Rositani said.
A sophomore at Southern
Connecticut State University in New Haven majoring in photography and likely pursuing a double major in environmental science, Rositani said no matter how challenging the work, the end result of making the waterways cleaner is worth it. Even a massive tractor tire was no match for her and the volunteers.
“Anytime there is a river cleanup, I 100 percent jump at the chance to get involved,” she said. “It feels so great to give your time, and I don’t ever want to stop doing this.”
Cassetti said volunteers like Rositani inspire him, and he’ll look into pursuing collaborations with area towns to ensure regular river cleanups continue.
Zak suggested Ansonia pair up with neighboring Seymour to work on cleaning the Kinneytown Dam section of the river.
“I’m in favor of any regional efforts and we are happy to join with Seymour or any other community that wants to keep our rivers clean and healthy,” Cassetti said. “A recharged river group would be in order.”
Greg Martin, city director of constituent services, said Sunday’s cleanup “has sparked a group of volunteers interested in more projects within the city involving river or other cleanups.”
Zak said a “Valley River Brigade” would go far toward continued river restoration.
“Two Naugatuck River Brigades working together can do anything. ... Nothing will be impossible,” Zak said.
Zak said there is “decades of trash and debris” below the Kinneytown Dam. It’s filled with debris, Zak said, including rusted shopping carts, many with trees growing through them, which he has been working for years to remove.
“This area will become one of the hidden gems of the Naugatuck River,” he said. “It will take years to clear out the debris. Only a River Brigade can actually do it.”