Selectmen join forces with WIN Waste for annual Operation Clean Sweep

By Tara Vocino

Approximately 50 residents of all ages gathered to clean up Saville and Central Streets, including the rail trail, along with event sponsor Selectman Anthony Cogliano and WIN Waste Innovations at the Annual Cleanup on Saturday morning.

Saugus resident Norma Giraldi, who is an Operations Specialist at WIN, said she and her staff are not just there for the optics, adding that they care. They collected nips bottles and construction debris. “A neighbor passed by me on Central Street and said it was the first time that anyone cared enough to clean up construction debris,” Giraldi said. “This is God’s land — I’ve always been an advocate of no littering.”

WIN Social Media and Community Engagement Representative Sophie Smith said it’s a beautiful day for Operation Clean Sweep, adding that they’re happy to support their neighbors in Saugus. Bikers along the Rail Trail stopped by to thank them for cleaning the trail.

Selectman Anthony Cogliano collected the trash to their meeting spot at 192 Central St., where he thanked WIN Waste and everyone who came out. “We collected quite a bit of trash,” Cogliano said. “It’s been a very good day.”

Selectman Frank Federico also supported the cleanup. “The WIN Waste Innovations Community Clean-up was a great example of what can be accomplished when local business and community members work together,” Federico said. “Several areas that needed attention were cleaned up, helping make our town a little brighter and more welcoming.”

WIN Plant Manager Elliott Casey said that every year WIN takes a day out of the year to do a clean sweep, usually on a weekday. But they chose a Saturday so community members were more available to join. “We took the opportunity to clean post winter trash and debris,” Casey said.

“Thanks to everyone who came out.” Casey said. “And to Selectmen Cogliano for organizing and Selectman Federico for supporting it.”

Federico added that it’s been encouraging to see so many cleanup efforts taking place in town this year, and he appreciates WIN Waste Innovations’ commitment to giving back to the community. “The momentum we’ve seen around these volunteer efforts has been inspiring and shows the pride people have in our town,” Federico said.

Some Town Meeting members brought their children. Town Meeting Precinct 9 member Jaime Lincoln said it’s been a busy spring, but they are thankful that they had the morning open to help pick up trash around the community. “Having the kids be involved is important so they can see why it’s important to keep the community clean on a daily basis,” Jaime Lincoln said. “They enjoyed helping, and we hope to do it again.”

Her daughter, Adrianna Lincoln, 7, said they did something awesome for the planet. “It was so much fun,” Adrianna said.

Town Meeting member Precinct 1 Ashley Nichols said her kids finally had a morning off, and they wanted them to do something for the community.

“They had a great time cleaning up the trash along the rail trail and near their school,” Nichols said. “It was a great start to their summer vacation — they all want to do it again!”

Her daughter, Emersyn Nichols, 8, said she, her friends’ mothers, and her friends helped the town.

“It was the best day,” Emersyn said.