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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2017-10-25 Youth Snow Removal Program Final_201712151036404698 Town of Watertown Meeting of the Town Council Committee on Human Services Report of the Meeting of October 25, 2017 Read: December 1212017 A meeting of the Committee on Human Services convened on Wednesday, October 25, 2017 at 7:00pm in the Louis P. Andrews Upper Conference Room. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss a Youth Snow Removal Program. Members in Attendance: Councilor Tony Palomba, Chair, Councilor Aaron Dushku, Vice-Chair, and Councilor Michael Dattoli, Secretary. Also present were Councilor Kenneth Woodland, Recreation Director Peter Centola, Deborah Rosati, Director of the Health Department, Town Attorney Mark Reich, and Recreation Supervisor James Coutoumas, as well as residents Dennis Duff, Elodia Thomas, Sally Eyring, and David Meshoulam. The Chair stated the purpose of the meeting was to discuss the potential of a Youth Snow Removal Program and to determine if this type of initiative is desirable and would fit with the mission of the Recreation Department. Councilor Woodland who had initiated a youth snow removal program in Town was asked to explain the program. The program matched Watertown Middle and High School students with residents within walking distance who needed snow removal. Students received community service hours and a small stipend. They did not interact directly with residents. The program had up to sixty student volunteers and the Watertown Public Schools handled the registration process. Students and residents sign waivers to avoid liability. Councilor Woodland noted that many Watertown departments referred residents to the program, including Police, Fire, the Social Service Resource Specialist, and Senior Center staff. He provided sample correspondence utilized in previous years for informational purposes. (Attachments A). Mr. Centola was asked if the Recreation Department would want to adopt a similar type program. He felt that the Recreation Department could administer, with the assistance of the School Department, such a program. Councilor Dushku asked if the Recreation Department was the right fit for this program, as opposed to the Council on Aging. Peter Centola mentioned that the two departments could work together and he could assist the Senior Center in managing the program. Logistical consideration must be made in advance to ensure that the staff has the capacity to track volunteers and participants. In addition, the Departments will need to have a back-up procedure in place if a student is unable to meet his or her responsibilities at any time during the winter. David Meshoulam mentioned that he is creating a volunteer leaf-raking program and is collaborating with Watertown High School and the National Honors Society members. Students are required to do community service hours. There was a brief discussion about the possibility of this program complementing a youth snow removal program. However, it was noted that at this time the leaf-raking program is a one-day event for the community (not just youth volunteers). Elodia Thomas mentioned that the Watertown Community Foundation organizes a volunteer day program and that the leaf-raking program might collaborate with the Foundation. Action Item: Councilor Dushku made a motion that the Committee ask the Recreation Director to review the materials and report back to the Committee with a plan to organize a youth snow removal program. Councilor Dattoli seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously, 3-0. Action: Councilor Dushku made a motion that the committee ask the Town Council for a referral to discuss a volunteer youth leaf-raking program. Councilor Dattoli seconded and the motion passed unanimously, 3-0. Councilor Dushku made a motion to adjourn at 7:30pm, seconded by Councilor Dattoli. The motion carried 3-0. Minutes prepared by Councilor Dattoli, Secretary. Kenneth Woodland President,Watertown Prosperity Inc. 6 Heather Road Watertown, MA 02472 TOPIC: Snow Shoveling This Season! Hello Watertown Residents, First and foremost,thank you for participating in Watertown Prosperity's snow shoveling program this year. I wanted to send along this letter to provide information on the program and to set expectations for what it will look like this winter season. Program Details: • Watertown Prosperity Inc. is a non-profit group located in Watertown • Working with the Watertown Middle School,we have recruited students to volunteer to shovel this winter season • 2-3 students will be assigned to your home and be responsible for shoveling every snowfall this season • I will personally be meeting with you to discuss what exactly you will need shoveled after each snowfall,please contact me using the contact information below to arrange a time to do this • Students will shovel after school when school is not cancelled • Otherwise students will shovel at their earliest convenience • There is no set-in-stone timeframe for the shoveling to be completed after the snowfall • Please note there is no cost to participate in this program • We do ask that all those participating DO NOT INVITE STUDENTS INSIDE, while we understand many folks would like to extend a thank you to the students,we are instructing the students to arrive and shovel without checking in or entering the home at any point or for any reason. • Timeframe: The snow shoveling will start the day after Thanksgiving and run until March 31St This program is only made possible due to a very generous grant from the Watertown Community Foundation. I look forward to working with you this winter season. Feel free to contact me at any time with any questions and thank you again for your participation. Sincerely, Kenneth Woodland President,Watertown Prosperity watertownnrosn_ eritvPLymail.com 617-780-4426 Watertown Prosperity, Incorporated Kenneth Woodland, President 10A Locust Lane Watertown, MA 02472 Hello Middle School Students and Parents, First and foremost, on behalf of Watertown Prosperity, Inc.,thank you all again for volunteering to help out our older and disabled neighbors this winter! All of the residents could not be more appreciative of all your efforts. Many times this winter your shoveling was the difference between residents being able to access healthcare, pick up prescriptions, or get groceries. It has made such a large difference for so many and I want to thank you on their behalf. Given to all volunteers today is a cash stipend of$50, a small token of our appreciation and I have also sent your name to Mrs. Donato to add 20 hours of community service to your school record. Additionally, we are planning on holding a celebration for all volunteers on Friday May 1st at 2:10pm in the Middle School cafeteria. On the back of this note is a quick survey about the program. At your convenience, if you and your parents/guardians could give some feedback it would be greatly appreciated so we can make improvements for next year. These sheets can be returned to Mrs. Donato or responses can be sent to watertownprosperitvPL-mail.com. I hope to have you all participate again next year! Kind regards, Kenneth Woodland President Watertown Prosperity, Inc. Ouestionnaire Name: If you could make one improvement to the snow-shoveling program,what would it be? Did you find it difficult to communicate with the rest of the volunteers? If so, do you have any suggestions for improvement? Did you feel each member of the group participated equally? Was e-mail communication from Watertown Prosperity sufficient to learn about the details and responsibilities of the program? Are you likely to participate again next year? Do you have any follow up questions about the program, how it is operated, or Watertown Prosperity as a group? Watertown Prosperity, Incorporated Kenneth Woodland, President 10A Locust Lane Watertown, MA 02472 Hello Middle School Students and Parents, Very sorry for the additional note here but if you have received this additional page it is because we were unable to place you with a house this year. I just wanted to explain quickly that we had a very high demand for volunteers like yourself,but I did not want to place anyone too far from their home. Anything further than a 10-minute walk would be out of the question. In the end there were about half of a dozen students that were not assigned because we didn't have anyone in the neighborhood that requested assistance. I apologize for not reaching out during the season to inform you of this development (I was being optimistic hoping that someone in the neighborhood would request assistance by the end of the season). I hope you will participate again next year and we will be able to match you up to assist someone in your neighborhood then! Kind regards, Kenneth Woodland President Watertown Prosperity, Inc. Kenneth Woodland President,Watertown Prosperity Inc. TOPIC: Snow Shoveling Volunteer Information Hello Middle School Students and Parents, First and foremost, thank you very much for volunteering to help out our elderly and disabled residents this winter by shoveling snow. I wanted to send along this letter for additional information on the program and to set expectations for both students and parents alike. The way the program will work: Each student will be paired with other classmates and assigned a home or homes to shovel for the duration of the winter season. Each time it snows, it is the responsibility of the students to shovel that same house and coordinate a time with each other to go over to shovel. The students you are assigned with and your assigned house will be sent out to you within the next few weeks. The assigned homes are as close to your residential address as possible and should be within walking distance. The assignments will be emailed to all student and parent email addresses and I strongly encourage you use the email group to coordinate a time to shovel. I have personally met with each resident and will be sending along a short description of what part of the property you will be expected to shovel. An example could be "3 front porch steps and walkway to the sidewalk." On days where school is still held, students should shovel after school and if there is no school then please use your best judgment. On days when a student cannot shovel, due to sickness/vacation/etc.,the other students should still shovel and if help is needed please contact me using the contact information below. It is important to note: STUDENTS SHOULD NOT ENTER THE HOMES OF ANY RESIDENTS THEY ARE SHOVELING AT ANY TIME. Residents will be informed not to invite students in but it is worth mentioning a second time here that the job is just to shovel. There is no need to check in with residents or anything else. Please respectfully refuse if residents extend any other invitations. The primary mode of communication for the program will be via email so please let me know if this is not the best way to be in contact with you or if there is an additional email address you would like me to add. Finally, if you need a shovel please contact me as soon as possible and one will be provided for you. At the end of the winter season each student will receive community service hours, a $50 stipend, and be invited to enjoy a pizza party at school. I look forward to working with you this winter season and will be in touch individually with more specific details. Feel free to contact me at any time with any further questions and thank you again for helping out our Watertown neighbors. Sincerely, Kenneth Woodland President,Watertown Prosperity watertownnrosperitvP V,mail.com 617-780-4426 (cell phone)