Tuesday, March 12, 2013
Former-Town Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney writes that Watertown should plow private roads, too, to make them safe during an emergency.
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Tuesday, March 12
Editor I don’t know why at this particular time of a major storm plowing private ways became an issue. Everyone should have accessibility to their home and street. I understand the superintendent’s position if a private way is in such bad condition that it would be dangerous for plowing. A list of those private ways which are deemed unsafe should be provided so that residents on those streets effected are given notice and some solution can be made. Nothing is absolute! It is an identifiable neighborhood need to have your street plowed. Watertown Firefighters respond to every call whether the emergency is on a private or public way. A very dangerous situation could arise if there is a fire or medical emergency on a street that is not …
Friday, March 8, 2013
State laws appear to prohibit plowing of private ways by the town.
During the Blizzard of 2013, those living on private roads were surprised to see that that town did not plow their roads as they had in most storms. Now it appears they may not be plowed ever again. Watertown officials began researching rules for plowing private ways - roads not owned and taken care of by the town. They found that Massachusetts state law does not allow towns to spend money to remove snow and ice on private roads. Until now, Public Works plows would plow private ways after the storm is over. The reason for doing so is to allow police and fire vehicles and ambulances to access homes on those streets, said Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee. The rule applies to small to moderate storms, Mee said. On Wednesday, a joint …
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Town of Watertown Town Hall
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Saturday, February 16, 2013
The issue of plowing private ways cropped up during the Blizzard of 2013, and now the Town Council will tackle it.
The Blizzard of 2013 dumped more than 2 feet of snow on Watertown's streets, but some residents said their street were not made as high a priority as others. Residents of private ways in town complained that the snow was not removed as promptly as past storms. The Town Council will now explore the town's snow plowing policy when it comes to private roadways. The town does not have to repave these roads, but they have removed snow so that ambulances, fire and police vehicles can get to homes on these streets during an emergency. What do you think? Should the town be plowing snow off private streets? Should they get as high priority as other roads in town? Share in the comment section below.
Edie B.
4:39 pm on Friday, March 8, 2013
I was wondering as I read this if private road residents paid less taxes than those on public roads. It sounds like they don't, if Ryan B's assertion is correct. I don't understand what private roads in Watertown mean exactly. In other communities, I've seen some private roads with access restrictions (such as gated entrances). Can the Patch do a follow-up defining what defines a private road in … more ›