January 26, 2009
Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Michael J. Doherty to protect volunteers who serve as local recycling coordinators was unanimously approved today by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee.
A new law has placed training and certification requirements on local recycling coordinators. Many volunteers have decided to skip the training and the law forces municipalities to hire certified replacements if certification is not completed by January 2010. Doherty’s bill (A-3541) would push back the deadline for two years.
“In tough fiscal times, we should encourage residents to volunteer and municipalities to cut costs,” Doherty, R-Warren and Hunterdon, said. “This legislation would move New Jersey toward those goals by delaying a law that forces towns to hire paid employees and replace volunteers who have competently filled these posts.”
The measure is also sponsored by Assemblyman John F. McKeon, D-Essex. Doherty said he will work with McKeon during the two-year delay to address concerns of small municipalities that use part-time coordinators.
