February 5, 2009

ASSEMBLY APPROVES DOHERTY BILL TO PRESERVE VOLUNTEER RECYCLING CHIEFS MEASURE WOULD EXTEND DEADLINE FOR EXTENSIVE CERTIFICATION PROCESS, SAVING TOWNS THE EXPENSE OF PAID COORDINATORS

Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Michael J. Doherty to protect volunteers who serve as local recycling coordinators was approved today by the General Assembly.

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 until Jan. 13, 2012.

“In this time of economic uncertainty towns should focus on cutting spending and not face a state mandate to hire new employees,” Doherty, R-Warren and Hunterdon, said. “Volunteer coordinators have filled these posts for years and should not be tossed aside because they haven’t completed a certain process. Their years of experience are worth more than a training course.”

The measure, which now heads to the Senate after it was approved 75-1-1, 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.