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)