NORTHAMPTON — Something fishy happened along Main Street Wednesday morning. Literally.
Shortly before 11 a.m., someone attempted to dump numerous fish fillets down a city storm drain in front of Viva Fresh Pasta.
Representatives from the city’s police, health and public works departments responded to the area for the incident. The storm drain grate where the fish were left was marked “No dumping drains into rivers.”
Before the fish fillets were cleaned up, the stench assaulted the nostrils while walking past the corner of Main and Masonic streets.
A police officer took pictures before allowing DPW foreman Brendan Shea to clean up the stinky mess.
After using a shovel and then gloved hands to remove the fish from the grate, Shea said the fish would be taken back to the DPW and placed in the trash.
Shea said he believed someone in DPW noticed the fish and that he was in the area and able to respond.
“Some kind of white fish,” Shea said when asked the species. “The skin looks red.”
As Shea worked at curbside, an employee from Viva Fresh Pasta came out to watch him.
“That’s rancid,” she said.
“Yeah,” Shea replied. “At least it’s not wasting good fish.”
Returning to his truck, Shea looked around for something to use to wash the sewer grate off. Using the remaining liquid left in a to-go cup filled with Coke, Shea poured the drink onto the grate in hopes of lessening the smell.
Viva Fresh Pasta manager Kristina Sorge arrived at the restaurant as Shea was cleaning the mess and said later that the fish did not come from the restaurant. While the restaurant does have fish on the menu, it does not offer any white fish, she said.
Northampton Police Capt. John Cartledge said the matter was considered closed by police, but did not know what action, if any, the city’s Health Department might take. City health officials could not be reached for comment.
Emily Cutts can be reached at ecutts@gazettenet.com.