Saugus Citizens in Action

A small group of town officials and residents continues to work with Junkster Bags in volunteer litter cleanups

By Mark E. Vogler

Like a lot of civic-minded people who care about the appearance of their town, Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Robert J. Camuso, Sr. said he doesn’t like litter. Unlike most folks who complain about the trash, he doesn’t just talk about it. In less than a month, he’s organized a small group of elected town officials and residents to collaborate on cleanup jobs throughout Saugus.

Camuso and Selectman Anthony Cogliano led a work crew of six to a homeless camp at the end of Eustis Road on Nov. 14. That was just the beginning of what Camuso hopes will grow into a townwide mission involving Town Meeting members and residents of all 10 precincts in Saugus.

“Right now, it’s Junkster Bags’ Leo Getz, Anthony Cogliano and myself – and whoever shows up,” Camuso told The Saugus Advocate recently. Camuso uses his web page – “Anything in our town of Saugus Massachusetts“ – to recruit a crew of volunteers.

On Nov. 21, the cleanup crew decided to tackle a littered area behind Blessed Sacrament Church in the back of the parking lot, about 69 to 75 feet into the woods. Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini and Jim Harrington joined the crew that day. “We had a bigger crew and got a lot done in a short time,” Camuso said. “Twelve guys – 45 minutes! Six Junkster Bags of trash.” Former Selectman Corinne Riley showed up to the cleanup site with coffee and donuts for the volunteers.

Last Saturday (Nov. 29), Camuso spearheaded a third cleanup on Walnut Street at the request of Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Ronald M. Wallace. “Last Saturday’s cleanup, we took over a dozen junk tires, hubcaps, trash bags, sleeping bags, bottles, cans, clothes and lots of trash,” Camuso said.

“This is a nice, wooded area by the pond, which today is now unspoiled again. It was a little difficult to get the trash out, but the crane boom truck made it happen with ease,” he said. “I can’t thank Junkster Bags [Leo Getz] for their generous help and as usual, Selectman Anthony Cogliano getting the job done!  Town Meeting Member from Precinct 5 Ron Wallace put on the gloves to help get this cleaned up.”

Selectman Cogliano praised Junkster for its contribution to the cause of cleaning up Saugus litter. “Leo of Junkster is always ready to lend a hand,” Cogliano said.

“[Nov. 21] he had six of his employees with him. Jeff Cicolini, Bob Camuso and Jim Harrington did a great job. Nice to see so many people help out with no notice,” he said. “Special thanks to my friends at WIN Waste for taking the trash.”