Greenfest deemed a success

By Pamela Metaxas

05/09/2008- The Republican

CHICOPEE - A cadre of volunteers cleaning city parks and residents dropping off hazardous materials has spelled a successful third annual Greenfest.

Greenfest last Saturday included demonstrations, tables, programs and city departments at the Chicopee Public Library. At the same time, the Department of Public Works, mayor's office and Waste Management joined for the hazardous collection at the DPW headquarters, 115 Baskin Drive and the citywide parks cleanup was held.

City Environmental Coordinator Barry J. Brouillard said 240 residents registered, but 216 showed up.

While the average of liquid waste collected in past years was 2,500 gallons, this year it was 2,420, with 330 of it oil. The oil is kept by the DPW for an oil-fired furnace that heats the garages.

"This saves us $2,000 in fuel costs per year," Brouillard said.

Cars went to the rear of the DPW building, where crews from Environmental Quality, Inc. of Rentham unloaded the liquids, chemicals and other items.

"I saw some new faces, which is good, as well as some who had come before," said Brouillard of the event, which has been held for 18 years.

Waste Management funds the event at a cost of about $15,000.

"People were very good and organized, and we were able to take one car a minute. I am happy it went that quickly, and the weather was not that bad. We have been doing this so long, we do it very well," said Brouillard.

For those residents who missed out, Brouillard said South Hadley will host a regional hazardous material drop-off on June 28.

Parks and Recreation Superintendent Stanley J. Walczak also reported a successful park cleanup with 325 leaf bags and 50 trash bags filled by volunteers at Ray Ash, Fairview, Nash, Preston, Litwin, Lincoln Grove, Garrity Grove, Ike Alpert, Rivers, Sarah Jane and Szetela parks.

"It was quite the effort. The kids were very enthusiastic," said Walczak of the several youth and civic groups participating.

"We had eight groups participating, plus the Westover Job Corps" the latter of which concentrated on downtown cleanup, said Walczak.

Following the cleanup, a picnic was held in the library's outside amphitheater, attended by about 150 volunteers.