With the first major snowfall of the year, Morgantown announced that elderly or disabled residents can have volunteers clear their sidewalks and driveways of snow.
The volunteer program was organized by the city’s code enforcement department eight years ago and normally gets about a dozen calls a year.
This year, volunteers from the program are from West Virginia University’s Center for Service and Learning’s iServe program, the WVU wrestling team and the Morgantown Church of Christ.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people willing to help the community,” said Code Enforcement Director Mike Stone. “If we get a call from an elderly or disabled person needing help with removing snow from their sidewalk or driveway, we will make sure one of our volunteers will get out and take care of it.”
City code requires property owners to clear snow from their sidewalks and driveways within 24 hours of snowfall. The reason for that is one of pedestrian safety, Morgantown Communications Director Andrew Stacy said.
“Even a dusting of snow can cause a pedestrian to slip and injure themselves,” Stacy said. “So, any amount of snow or ice should be cleared from the sidewalks.”
Catherine Whitworth, community partner coordinator for the Center for Service and Learning, said WVU have been involved in the program for three years and its involvement has grown each year.
This year, the WVU wrestling team is sponsoring the program through the Student Athlete Enhancement program, Whitworth said.
She said the program is a creative solution to a community challenge and sees it as a critical service student’s can provide. Any student can register to participate at iserve.wvu.edu.
The program also provides a safe way to contribute when many community interactions have been canceled because of COVID-19, Whitworth said.
To request assistance, call 304-284-7401.
City takes over snow removal on some state roads:
Also on Tuesday, the city also announced it has signed a maintenance agreement with the West Virginia Division of Highways to treat and remove snow on some state roads in city limits.
“We’re excited to announce that we have just signed a maintenance agreement with WVDOH to treat and perform snow removal on some state roads in city limits,” Morgantown shared on Facebook.
The streets include:
High Street;
College Avenue;
University Avenue/Collins Ferry Road;
Burroughs Street;
Stewart Street/Stewartstown Road;
North Willey Street;
Spruce Street;
Pleasant Street;
Walnut Street.
