Friday, February 15, 2013
Seeing the many sidewalks still not shoveled around town shows the need for a requirement for residents to clear snow, John MacNeill writes.
- OPINION
-
Friday, February 15
Editor: Four days after the big storm and way too many Watertown property owners still haven't shoveled their sidewalks. Roads are only partially plowed, leaving no room for pedestrians who're forced to walk in the street. This problem comes up year after year but nothing is done about it. Snow and ice covered sidewalks are a hazard for emergency personnel, postal workers, commuters who need to reach their bus stops, and children walking to school. Cunniff School, for example, has no bus service and not everyone has an extra car to drive. Young kids shouldn't have to risk injury just to get to school. In 2010 the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court overturned 125 years of legal precedent and ruled that all Massachusetts property …
Monday, February 11, 2013
As the town digs out from the Blizzard of 2013, many sidewalks remain under feet of snow two days after the storm.
Walking around Watertown after the Blizzard of 2013 requires people to tread in the street, at least part of the way, because many sidewalks remain under feet of snow. In Watertown, businesses in commercial districts must clear their sidewalks or face fines under the town's bylaws, but no such requirement exists for residential properties. Last year, the Town Council considered creating such a bylaw, but voted it down. When the council discussed the ordinance in January 2012, Town Council Vice President Steve Corbett said that 22 communities in the Boston area have residential snow shoveling requirements and he encouraged Watertown to pass one. Other members did not like the idea of a requirement because some older residents and the …
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
A majority of the councilors said the measure would to difficult to enforce, and prefer educating people about why they should clear snow.
Watertown residents will not be required to shovel snow off their sidewalks after the Town Council voted 7-2 against proceeding with the creation of a residential snow shoveling ordinance Tuesday night. Town Council Vice President Steve Corbett brought the proposal forward on behalf of the Watertown Commission on Disabilities. The Commission requested the ordinance requiring all residents be required to clear snow from sidewalks to allow people with disabilities to travel safely on town sidewalks during the winter. Corbett mentioned that others would benefit, including children walking to school, parents pushing strollers and commuters walking to bus stops. At last count, 22 communities around Boston have passed residential snow …
42.36752
-71.18773
Town of Watertown Town Hall
149 Main St, Watertown, MA
/articles/watertown-town-council-rejects-snow-shoveling-requirement
1422333
/locations/6246666
Carolyn A. Gritter
2:53 pm on Saturday, February 16, 2013
I suppose Mr. DiMascio is prepared for a substantial increase in property taxes to pay for the legends of shovelers that would be needed to clear walkways and for the purchase of snow removal equipment such as snow blowers and SnoCats. Forcing pedestrians to put themselves at risk by walking in the street because of uncleared sidewalks is unacceptable. Since Mr. DiMascio does not want to work for… more ›