‘Clean Team’ tackles trash surfacing under melting snow

 By: Melissa Randall
Mrandall@abc6.com
@MRandallABC6

After a harsh winter it’s nice to see the sun shining on Providence. The warm temps are helping to melt all that snow, but what’s surfacing isn’t quite putting folks in spring–mode.

“Disgusting dirt. There’s like old trash. Old food. That was covered by it. It’s gross,” said Jarnaey Royster of Providence.

Hidden under the mounds we found cups, water bottles, and cigarette butts. Lots and lots of cigarette butts. The Providence Downtown Improvement District is tackling the spring–cleaning head on.

“Each day we’re picking up the trash that’s been frozen under the snow. It’s not like one big job. It’s just a gradual process as the snow melts,” explained operations manager Frank Zammarelli.

Crew members known as “yellow jackets” are spending hours each day sweeping up 81 square blocks near downtown properties.

Frank Lattore, Director of Public Space for DID, hopes others catch on and start making improvements in their communities.

“We’ve talked to a lot of [people]– like the Atwells Ave business association and Onlyville– a lot of different people— to say you can do this in your own neighborhood,” he explained.

The Clean Team as the workers are called will also be helping to clear much of the sand that was spread over the winter months to keep cars from sliding during storms.

(C) WLNE–TV 2015