NORWICH – A new Social Services activity that offers welfare recipients the opportunity to volunteer for clean up projects was welcomed by Chenango County government officials this week.
At a presentation Monday before the full board of supervisors, Employment Unit Director Misty Davis said six volunteers had been cleaning sites in New Berlin, Norwich, McDonough and Preston, as well as growing a vegetable garden for use by various agencies that serve the poor. The new program could be extended through the fall and winter, she said.
“We have a very difficult population of clients right now,” Davis said, explaining that there were more from generational poverty, more who have been on public assistance for a long period of time and more who have high medical limitations. This activity is designed to make individuals job ready by teaching them cooperation skills and how to work with others, she said.
Town of Norwich Supervisor David C. Law said the county department is meeting the town’s need for clean-up support. “The work they completed for us was professional, and I commend DSS for the excellent program,” he said. “Plus it makes them (the volunteers) feel that they are doing something to receive some of their benefits.”
Board Chairman Richard B. Decker, R-N. Norwich, encouraged other town supervisors to contact Davis for their own clean-up projects.
At a meeting of the county’s planning board Tuesday, Chairman Kenneth Ryan also commended DSS, but asked his board what else could be done to clean up Chenango County. “Is there any encouragement that we can give to the towns to enforce the laws that they already have?” he asked.
Board member and City of Norwich Supervisor Linda E. Natoli suggested a “pride in yourself, pride in your property” campaign. “Maybe we could get people to jump on and run with it,” she said. “I think we need to start with something small like that.”
Sally Chirlin, representing North Norwich, said cultural differences make it difficult for existing ordinances to work effectively. “To some people, what’s sitting out front is their savings. It’s a personal mater. To really get the junk and trash off the lawn, you have to have the will to enforce.”
Several members of the committee said there was no need for adding more laws, but rather to enforce those already on the books.
Maureen Carpenter, the county’s economic development director and president of Commerce Chenango, said businesses in the downtowns often don’t welcome volunteers offering to make improvements to their buildings. “The businesses that need it unfortunately are the ones that don’t want any help. We can only do so much where we are allowed.”