Could Wareham become a no litter town?

Jul 23, 2014

While it's clear that litter is a problem across Wareham, Mansfield native Neil Rhein thinks it is a problem throughout the state and the country.

What's more, he might have a solution.

Rhein, a representative of Keep Massachusetts Beautiful, an affiliate of the non-profit organization Keep America Beautiful, gave a presentation at the Selectmen meeting Tuesday, which included details on how Wareham could join the organization's "No Litter" campaign.

He said the program allows for local government, business and volunteer partnerships to take greater responsibility in improving their community environment.

Rhein said at the suggestion of his wife, he organized a community cleanup effort in Mansfield that eventually grew to a committee in 2008. That led to them joining the national Keep America Beautiful organization, which was created in 1953.

He said the organization focuses on litter prevention, cleanup, beautification and waste reduction, while also providing training and networking opportunities. He also said the group cleanups are generally "great community events . . . that bring everyone together."

"I can think of three or four people off the top of my head that would be interested," said Selectman Peter Teitelbaum.

Rhein said the towns who join the program "benefit financially through the cumulative volunteer hours," which lessens the burden on municipal maintenance workers to field trash cleanup complaints.

Rhein said Mansfield paid an initial fee of $1,250 to join the program and pays about $150 annually.  He added that the organization has made more than that money back in grants to the town.

He also said the organization is flexible and that there are no mandates for levels of engagement from participating towns.

Selectman Alan Slavin said the board plans on getting a group together to sit down and talk with Rhein on possibly moving forward with the program.