HealthNet announces summer pilot project in the village of Herkimer
Herkimer County HealthNet is pleased to announce a pilot project set to take place in the Village of Herkimer this summer. Through a partnership with the Lead-Free Mohawk Valley Coalition and the Walking Environmental Assessment Project Team, the pilot includes a visual exterior assessment of homes in the village identifying chipped and peeling paint as well as walkability of streets and conditions of sidewalks.
“The project’s focus is to collect data and to utilize the resources of the Herkimer-Oneida County Planning Department to map the results.” said Dr. Thomas Curnow, Executive Director, Herkimer County HealthNet, “We anticipate that after the data is collected and mapped, then our project team can start to identify needs based on it.”
Mayor Anthony Brindisi stated, “It is important for the Village of Herkimer residents to know that this project will serve as a resource for opportunities in the future for our community. It will be of no cost to village residents. We are excited to work on this project with Herkimer County HealthNet, as we have worked with them before on other projects.”
The Walking Environmental Assessment-Village of Herkimer Pilot Team consists of representatives from Herkimer County HealthNet, the Village of Herkimer, Herkimer County Government, Herkimer-Oneida County Planning Department, NY State Department of Health, Public Health, and Working Solutions. The project budget total cost is $10,376 which consists of funds from The Community Foundation supported Lead-Free MV Coalition, Herkimer County HealthNet, and the Herkimer County College Corps. Internship Program.
Interns will start the assessment process in June and will continue through August.
After the project is finished, the data collected and the maps that are developed will serve as support for grant applications, educating elected officials for private or public funding, and for multiple use by agencies at the village and county levels. HealthNet officials are hopeful that this same project will also be replicated in other communities in the near future.
Herkimer County HealthNet is a 501(C)3 nonprofit corporation. Its mission is to improve the health and well-being of individuals who live, work, play, and learn in Herkimer County by addressing factors that impact health.