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Elizabeth Levy submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance.
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Official Text
To the Honorable Board:
Thank you all of the work you have put into this issue since I and other mothers around Somerville raised the issue last winter. While I am unable to attend this evening's meeting I wanted to share some brief thoughts, and have encouraged others to attend. The ice has been a particular scary challenge for me this past month. I would say I have definitely noticed an improvement over last year's shoveling. Although it's still not possible to get a stroller or wheelchair on many sidewalks, my sense is that people, and even the churches in my neighborhood that never shoveled last year, are doing the best they can this year given what's happened. I even felt that way in the beginning of the year with some of the moderate snows before the blizzards started.
I, and others in my group, have heard rumors about the ordinance being changed to give 24 hours after snow stops to shovel. We are all concerned that that is too much time--often times by that long the snow has already turned to ice and can't be shoveled. We understand that the current rules might be tough for some, especially second or third shift workers, but don't think 24 hours is the right answer. Maybe 12 hours?
Overall, our biggest concern is enforcement, whatever the timing. Several others reported that they have made calls to 311 about unshoveled sidewalks and seen no enforcement, and no one has seen one of the infamous "scarlet knockers" yet.
Best,
Elizabeth Levy