Haas proposes expansion of youth snow removal program for disabled, and seniors

Program would work in conjunction with city’s Commission on Disabilities

By Barbara Taormina

Councillor-At-Large Robert Haas met with the Commission on Disabilities this week to talk about Somerville’s teen snow shoveling program which pairs teens with disabled residents and seniors who need help in clearing their walkways and sidewalks. City Councillors recently expressed the need for Revere to expand its Snow Angels program to make sure all residents who need assistance with snow shoveling receive the help they need, which is performed by Revere High students in the Junior ROTC program.

Haas said he was surprised a city the size of Somerville could put together a program and make it work, and felt that if Somerville can do it, so can Revere.

Commission Chairman Ralph DeCicco said it would be a grant-funded program that would not be a cost to the City or taxpayers. DeCicco said program administrators would need to check and make sure recipients were alone and genuinely in need meaning there were no able-bodied people or tenants who lived in a house and were capable of doing the work.

“We want to make sure this is for people who really need it, and we want to make sure it’s done right,” said DeCicco.

Commission member Pauline Perno said she had also been looking at programs in other communities.

“Many have some sort of partnership with the youth center and the senior and disabled communities,” said Perno who added some programs run year-round. In the spring teens help with raking leaves and yard clean up and some programs schedule weekly visits to take out trash barrels.

Although most programs enlist teens and Junior ROTC members, Perno suggested opening it to middle and elementary school students.

Commission members agreed the program would provide a much-needed and valuable service for the disabled community and seniors. Haas said he would work with the Commission and the Keefe administration to move a program forward.

“I hope this is a program we can get going for next winter,” he said.

DeCicco said the program was about more than snow removal.

“It’s about social interaction between teens and the disabled community and seniors,” he said.