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McKnight Bill to Provide Free Snow Removal Services for Seniors, Disabled Residents Clears Assembly Panel

The snow removal service would be provided through a volunteer program created under the bill


(TRENTON) – Legislation sponsored by 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 Thursday 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.