Residents Sign Letter Opposing Snow Ordinance
The proposed ordinance could create a fine for residents who do not shovel their walks after a storm.
Nearly 40 residents handed in a petition to City Hall this week stating their opposition to a proposed snow ordinance.
According to a letter dated Nov. 22 (see attached .pdf), some residents are concerned with a possible amendment to the current ordinance that would require homeowners to shovel sidewalks outside their house within 24 hours of a storm, or else face a $50 fine.
"We appreciate this city, have grown up in this city and have raised our families in this city," the letter reads. "We believe in the community of this city and are opposed to this ordinance which seems divisive at best."
In the letter, the residents argue that some people in the city are not physically able to shovel their driveways, or have been instructed by their doctors not to do so.
More than 10 people who signed the petition have had heart attacks, the letter reads.
"Not everyone is young and agile," said Beacon Street resident Dorothy Roberts, who signed the letter.
Although the city has said they are compiling a list of workers and volunteers who would shovel driveways for those who cannot, the letter questions whether it would be enough to clear all the necessary driveways within the 24 hour period after a storm.
At a public hearing last month, nearly 40 residents stood up to show both support and concern for the proposed ordinance.
Proponents say the sidewalk clearing is necessary for the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists, especially children who walk to school.
At a time where pedestrian accidents seem almost commonplace in Newton, the ordinance is part of a town-wide initiative to improve safety for those who use alternative forms of transportation.
Not only are uncleared sidewalks a danger for children and people walking to public transportation, they are also a hazard for people with disabilities, proponents say.
The measure is supported by several city organizations including PTO Council, the Newton League of Women Voters,Green Decade, Bike Newton, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Task Force and the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities.
And while the residents who signed the letter agree that the ordinance is an issue of city safety, clearing sidewalks should be something that should be "appreciated rather than required," as many people already do it simply because "it's the right thing to do."
"In gesture, it's a nice idea to think that everybody is in a position financially or physically (to clear the sidewalks)," Roberts said.
The letter also raises questions as to where the shoveled snow would go--especially in neighborhoods with houses built close together--and what enforcement there would be to prevent snow from being dumped back onto properties.
Kimball Terrace resident Ralph Stanley explained that the ordinance is just another item on a list of burdens put on by the city, including parking problems with the new high school and past snow plowing procedures.
"I've put up with enough," Stanley said.
"Our taxes are very high, and services keep getting cut and it's too bad that the city can't go back to assuming its responsibilities of keeping what is their property not the homeowners," Roberts added.
Adam
10:44 am on Thursday, December 2, 2010
The message in this letter is confusing. The typed portion says this is a public safety issue, but the undersigned have concerns about how they will comply. The handwritten portion suggests that shoveling is a courtesy and should not be required.
Regina Eliot Ramsey
11:24 am on Thursday, December 2, 2010
This was tried before and failed miserably. The list of shovelers proved to be a mirage. The only thing the people on the list wanted to do was plow out driveways but not clear sidewalks or walks.
Houses have been built so close together and sidewalks narrowed in many neighborhoods that there is no room to put the snow. Moreover, as soon as the plow drivers see a clean space, they fill it back up with snow.
It's a disaster waiting to happen. Like last time, some senior citizen will have a heartache and then everyone will wake up. Cleaning sidewalks used to be the city's responsibility and it should stay that way. Alderman - please stop burdening the people of Newton.
Adam
11:27 am on Thursday, December 2, 2010
The city never cleared all of the sidewalks, just more than they do today. City plowing is one way to accomplish this goal, but it would not be free.
Kristine Munroe
2:40 pm on Thursday, December 2, 2010
How effective was the city at clearing the sidewalks? Some sidewalks that I think are city property (sidewalks along municipal lots and parks) remain unshoveled all winter. If they can't handle that, how could they clear all of the sidewalks?
Adam
3:38 pm on Thursday, December 2, 2010
Kristine, I thought the city very recently added to its plowing routes to cover sidewalks adjacent to city property, but this article only says public buildings: http://newton.patch.com/articles/city-considers-mandate-for-residents-to-clear-snow More plows would probably result in better quality work. It's all a matter of budget, don't you think?
Melanie Graham
3:53 pm on Thursday, December 2, 2010
FYI: I've added a copy of the city's presentation on the ordinance to this article. You can also find a copy attached to this article:
http://newton.patch.com/articles/snow-ordinance-stirs-up-opinions
Randy
8:00 am on Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The ordinance should be an all-or-nothing scenario: IF you shovel your driveway OR your sidewalk OR part of the city sidewalk THEN you must shovel *all* of the city sidewalk. We should not rely on homeowners to shovel sidewalks; If it is a safety HAZARD in a particular location, i.e. heavy traffic or high speed road or main school route, the city should use their Bombardier sidewalk plows. On most streets, it is a big INCONVENIENCE when homeowners don't shovel; It is unfair when the homeowner just does their driveway, piles the snow on the sidewalk, or only shovel the 3 feet between their sidewalk and their driveway.
Randy
8:06 am on Wednesday, December 22, 2010
The city usually piles snow at the corners of the sidewalks. Will the city suddenly start clearing the corners or will they fine public works employees & contractors?
The Massachusetts Turnpike has linear miles of sidewalks adjacent to their for-profit private roadway in Newton, and about a dozen bridges with sidewalks. Will the city fine the State Dept of Transportation? Businesses in Newton have been required to shovel for years!
Adam
8:20 am on Wednesday, December 22, 2010
>Will the city suddenly start clearing the corners
Yes.
> or will they fine public works employees & contractors?
Yes (contractors)