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HomeMy Public PortalAbout1-24-2012 statement - falkoffJanuary 24, 2012 Susan Falkoff Icy and snowy sidewalks are a hazard. They force pedestrians into the road. They present a menace to parents with strollers, bus commuters, wheelchair -users and senior citizens, among others. In a perfect world, I believe that the public works department would plow every sidewalk in town and give clearing sidewalks as high a priority as road plowing. Since this is not economically feasible, I believe that all property owners should take responsibility for being sure that their sidewalks are cleared for the benefit of all. In the past, I have been a proponent of a residential ordinance as a means to this end. Last year, however, I changed my mind as I watched with interest as Newton residents worked hard to pass a residential shoveling ordinance. They did pass one - but the issue was so contentious that it passed with a two year sunset provision and no penaltyfoffailure to comply with the law. Furthermore, there is an exemption mechanism that is so broad that virtually anyone with the time to fill out the form and the willingness to disclose personal information such as income, could potentially be exempt. Newton's experience caused me to re -think the value of an ordinance. In my opinion, passing laws with no intention of enforcement is poor policy. Here are some of the problems with enforcement: • Is this a wise use of police time? • We do not do a good job enforcing the laws we already have regarding snow - requiring businesses to shovel and forbidding plow operators or shovelers from placing snow on sidewalks or in the street • We want this law to protect those who are unable to shovel such as the elderly and disabled so do we want to require them to shovel? If we allow them an exemption, what are the criteria and who decides? • The option to pay for shoveling is not realistic for many low-income homeowners. • In Cambridge, if you request an exemption from shoveling, the town will plow your sidewalk. We do not have the staffing to make it happen here. • If you live at the end of a dead end street, should you be subject to the same requirement as someone who lives on a well -traveled road? • The public works subcommittee has worked with the public works department and instituted some more enlightened plowing practices but still there are areas, especially corners, where town -contracted plows pile snow from the street into icy mountains that are impenetrable even by electric snow blowers. • In spite of the newer practices, homeowners frequently complain that no sooner do they shovel than the town plows throw the snow right back in the driveway or on the sidewalk. • In some locations, there is literally no place to put the snow. • In other locations, the sidewalk is squeezed in between the street and a high retaining wall making shoveling a particularly strenuous endeavor. All of this adds up to a policy which is difficult to enforce and unequal in the burden it places on citizens. Yet, the desire to make passable sidewalks remains a valid goal. Educational efforts have had some effect and residents have commented improving compliance every year. I thank the police for including a message to help your neighbor in weather - related press releases and robocalls. The Senior Center has posted a notice in the TAB each week this winter, asking people to help a neighbor and offering to add the names of willing shovelers to a list they will make available for those in need. Over the past several years, the public works subcommittee has recommended several additional steps to offer possible relief. These include: • Additional coordination with high school students who could possibly gain community service credits for helping a neighbor • Specific outreach to absentee landlords about the need for shoveling • Continued work with plow contractors to improve practices and keep handicapped ramps accessible • Increasing public works staffing so that plowing school and bus rout sidewalks and clearing bus stops and handicap ramps can be achieved in a more timely manner • Offering discounts on snow blowers for neighborhood groups, possibly through a grant from the Watertown Community Foundation or similar organization I'm sure there are other creative ideas to promote the importance of shoveling. As I wrote out these thoughts, it struck me that the public works subcommittee has discussed this over and over but it would be nice to see more leadership from the town administration as well. Passable sidewalks is a public safety and quality of life issue that is worth all of our best efforts - but not an unenforceable law.