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John Bunzick submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance.
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Dear Members of the Board of Aldermen,
I know that the City is struggling to dig itself out of snow storms of historic proportions; we all are. However, I have seen no snow removal operations at all - since the last storm - along Holland St, and especially, in Davis Square. Crossing College Ave from the corner of Highland to the plaza is very nearly impossible. The main crosswalk is blocked by a 12 foot high pile of snow and the other crosswalk, opposite the T station, is narrow and filled with slush.
What is the City's plan - if any - for improving the overall snow removal situation?
As a second note, regarding the regulations for landlords to shovel walks: Making the requirements stricter as a way to increase compliance is meaningless. If an owner failed to meet the previous standard, they will continue to fail to meet the newer standard. The problem cannot be solved by making new rules: it must be solved by _enforcement_ of whatever rules are in place.
My observation is that there are a few owners who consistently, year after year after year, fail to shovel at all. Often, these are small condominium buildings, presumably without professional management, where each unit owner feels no consequence to failing to shovel. Often, their steps and driveways are beautifully cleared, but not the walks (or the side street). Each condo owner in such buildings should be fined for each instance of a lack of shoveling, I believe.
If scofflaws were rigorously and regularly cited, you would see compliance go up. The city should find a way to enforce the rules without waiting for complaints to pour in - most are too hassled by the weather to bother, and anyway, when trudging through a poorly shoveled walk, how many will note the address and remember to complain about it later? I know there is a vocal minority that howls that they can't comply (elderly and the like), but we have mechanisms in place to protect and help them. Plus, these difficulties should not exempt them from complying. I cannot shovel, so spent considerable effort to find a contractor to do it for me.
Can parking enforcement be called in after storms to issue citations? What other mechanism can be put in place for the city to proactively enforce the rules?
John Bunzick