Manchester Cleanup Team Scoops Up 52 Needles, Tons Of Trash In 1 Month

MANCHESTER, NH — Manchester's mayor is praising the city's new street cleaning team — the royal blue-wearing "Ambassadors" who are out and about in the community beginning bright and early in the morning — for making a "big difference" downtown in their first month on the job.

"The attention our Streetplus teams are paying to improving the cleanliness of Manchester’s Central Business Service District is amazing," Mayor Jay Ruais said Tuesday. "In only one month, they picked up 3,150 pounds of trash, 52 needles, and 34 piles of human and animal waste."

The Ambassadors also "interact frequently with the public, providing directions, responding to requests, and meeting with local businesses," officials noted, adding that they are "getting very positive feedback from residents, businesses and visitors."

Ruais noted the program is still in its 90-day startup period with more staffing and equipment on the way. Once fully operational, Streetplus Ambassadors will provide services ranging from litter, debris and graffiti removal to power washing and sidewalk, pedestrian pathway, and tree well cleaning.

Even a few weeks in, James McGee, the operations manager of the CBSD Cleaning Program, said that the Ambassadors' "positive impact is evident every day." Economic Development Director Jodie Nazaka added that to maintain the safety and cleanliness of downtown and the Millyard in Manchester "requires exceptional support."

"By introducing this nationally recognized cleaning and hospitality service, we’re creating a safer and cleaner space for residents and visitors to enjoy," McGee said. "The results speak for themselves."