DOHERTY INTRODUCES BIPARTISAN MEASURE PROTECTING VOLUNTEER RECYCLING CHIEFS

Assemblyman Michael Doherty today introduced bipartisan legislation, A-3541, that will delay the deadline for certification of local recycling coordinators in an effort to prevent the resignations of many part-time volunteer coordinators who have chosen not to go through the extensive certification process.

“Many of these local recycling coordinators have been effectively doing this job on a volunteer basis for many years,” said Doherty, R-Warren and Hunterdon. “If they resign rather than submit to this certification process, these towns will be forced to hire paid recycling coordinators at an added expense to taxpayers.”

Under legislation passed at the end of the last legislative session, training requirements were established for local recycling coordinators. These requirements include certification at the end of a 21-day training program. Many volunteer coordinators have chosen to forgo this training, and the bill then requires towns to hire paid certified coordinators by January 2010.

Doherty’s legislation, to be co-sponsored by Democrat Assemblyman John McKeon, would delay implementation of the certification requirement for three years in order to encourage volunteers to stay in these jobs.

“Budgets are tight and small towns cannot afford any additional expenses at this time,” Doherty said. “If we have volunteers willing to carry out these duties, who have proven their qualifications through years of service, there is no need to force this certification on them at this time.”

Doherty said that during the three-year delay in implementation he hopes to work closely with McKeon and other officials to accommodate the needs and concerns of small municipalities that utilize part-time coordinators or volunteers.

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