Volunteer Cleanup Crews Descend Upon Seeley’s Brook, Remove Garbage

About 40 people gathered the morning of April 12 at the rear of Somerset Village on Easton Avenue to help clean up Seeley’s Brook.

Led by the John Clyde, Township Councilman Ted Chase (D-Ward 1), the township Environmental Commission and the Stony Brook-Millstone Watershed Alliance, the group – which included Brownies from Troop 60607 – climbed up and down the steep and muddy embankment, armed with clear plastic bags and grabbing tools.

Workers from the township Department of Public Works were also on hand to cart away the bags of debris collected by the volunteers.

“Cleaning the brook is important for the township’s water supply, said watershed association’s Maryann Polefka.

“Many people don’t realize that Seeley’s Brook empties into the Delaware & Raritan Canal and that water is drawn from the canal and processed into our drinking water,” she said.

Among the items grabbed from the brook early one was at least one shopping cart and some tires.

The Brownies, whose troop is sponsored by St. Matthias Roman Catholic Church on John F. Kennedy Boulevard, were enjoying themselves, a troop leader said.

“They;re having a great time,” said Bernadette Pechilio.

Pechilio said the Brownies were using the event toward the 10 hours of community service they must perform.

Polefka said this is the third time in the past eight years that the group has had to clean up the brook.

“It’s unfortunate,” she said.

Seeley's Brook Cleanup 4-12-14

Your Thoughts

comments