Legislation sponsored by NJ Assemblywoman Angela McKnight (D-Hudson) to create a municipal volunteer program that would provide free snow removal services for seniors and disabled residents was approved today by an Assembly Panel.
“Even the most able bodied person can have a hard time clearing out snow after a heavy snow fall. For seniors and disabled residents, the task can be strenuous and even risky. For some, it’s simply not doable,” said McKnight. “This bill would help connect seniors and disabled residents with volunteers in their communities who can help clear out snow and ice so these residents can safely enter and exit their homes and carry on their usual activities in the aftermath of a severe storm.”
The bill (A-3381) would require each municipality to establish a volunteer program for the free removal of snow and ice from the entrance ways, driveways, and abutting sidewalks of residential properties in the municipality that are occupied by seniors and disabled persons.
The bill would require each municipality to appoint a coordinator to administer the volunteer program and recruit volunteers. The municipality would be required to post information about the volunteer program on its website, as well as community notices, newsletters, or other communications made to municipal residents. The municipality would also have to share information about the program with local schools as students may provide a good source of volunteers.
It is the intention of the sponsor that this bill establish a purely volunteer program, not a municipal or governmental entity, that does not incur any costs to the municipality or to the recipients of its snow and ice removal services.
The bill was approved by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee.
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You have got to be kidding. The Democrats are involved it is going to cost the Tax Payers money. They even warn us “The bill would require each municipality to appoint a coordinator to administer the volunteer program ” more government employees for the Tax Payers to pay for.
“It is the intention of the sponsor that this bill establish a purely volunteer program, not a municipal or governmental entity, that does not incur any costs to the municipality or to the recipients of its snow and ice removal services” and the “coordinator” will do it for free? Not in this lifetime.
What ever happened to neighbor helping neighbor? That didn’t cost anything and the Government was NOT involved.
Hey Democrats…. fix my property taxes, fix my bussing problem, stop with this worthless nonsense!!!!!!
i need to sign up. Senior.and Veteran Disabled.
I did my elderly neighbor’s driveway for free. That’s what my father would have done.
We need a memo from big brother telling us this should be done? Talk about condescending, do they get paid to come up with. this junk during their work day? Lakewood for is one town this is not a even a pebble of concern. Maybe come down on municipalities to stay on top so residents don’t have to dig ourselves out from them.
I dug out several elderly people if everyone would just think of their neighbors we would be fine