Kinston plans tool lending program to help residents maintain properties
Kinston residents could soon be able to borrow lawn care and maintenance tools through a new city program intended to help with property upkeep.
The Tool Shed Program is listed on the Kinston City Council agenda for Tuesday’s meeting as a presentation and recognition item. The meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, in City Hall Council Chambers, 207 E. King St.
According to agenda, the program is designed to provide residents with temporary access to basic lawn care equipment at no cost. City staff said the program is intended to help residents who may face financial or physical barriers that limit their ability to maintain their properties.
The program would operate similarly to a library lending system, allowing eligible residents to check out equipment for short-term use for grass cutting, trimming and general yard maintenance.
Staff said the program is intended to encourage voluntary compliance with the city’s nuisance and weed abatement regulations while promoting neighborhood pride and beautification.
Kinston’s Lowe’s Home Improvement donated equipment to help launch the program. According to the staff report, the donation includes lawn mowers, weed eaters or string trimmers, rakes, shovels, additional lawn care and maintenance tools and a storage shed to house and organize the equipment.
The Tool Shed is expected to open May 27. It would be open from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Residents would be required to register for the program and show proof of residency in the city of Kinston. Borrowers must be at least 18 years old and provide a valid government-issued ID showing their name and address.
The city’s policy says residents also must provide recent proof of residency, such as a utility bill, mortgage statement, lease agreement, property tax document or other official record showing the applicant’s name and Kinston address.
Borrowers may check out up to three tools at a time, with no more than one lawn mower per borrowing period. The maximum loan period is three days, depending on the type of tool and program demand.
Tools must be picked up and returned in person by the registered borrower during program hours. Borrowers are responsible for transporting tools and must return them clean, dry, free of debris and in the same condition as issued, aside from normal wear.
The program is for noncommercial use. Tools may be used for personal home or yard maintenance or to assist family members who are unable to safely use the tools themselves. They may not be used for paid work, profit or contractor activity.
The policy also includes rules for late, dirty, damaged, lost or stolen tools. Late returns would be subject to a $5 daily fee, and dirty tools could result in a $10 cleaning fee.
