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Karen Molloy submitting comments re: the snow removal ordinance.
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To the Honorable Board:
I won't be able to attend the BOA's public hearing this week regarding the new snow shoveling ordinance, so below are a couple of comments.
First, I should mention I am able-bodied and work at home; I generally have no problem with keeping up with shoveling the sidewalk in front of my house on Highland Ave after snowstorms. BUT if I still commuted to a job at which I left home at 8AM and returned home at 8PM, I would find the mandated timeframe given in which to shovel the sidewalk in front of my house extremely restrictive. If I attended school at night on top of my commuting job and did not return home until 10pm or so at night, again I would find this situation difficult to handle. I am sure you will hear a lot about such cases in the BOA public hearing, so I am adding my voice to that discussion.
Second, I wish the city could be helpful about how someone can get help with shoveling. Is there a website/clearinghouse in Somerville to pair shovelers with those in need shoveling? Or is this something 311 can handle?
People tend to frame the conversation of not being able to shovel as an issue for elderly and disabled folks. Keep in mind there are others who cannot shovel, including folks who are ILL with the flu or some similar illness, INJURED (as I have been in the past with sprained ankle and could not shovel) and people who are AWAY on TRAVEL for work or vacation. I've had the flu myself in past years and have been unable to shovel after a snowstorm. I've also helped shovel for friends who were similarly ill. But not everyone has those connections. Please add these 2 use cases to the discussion of people who need help with shoveling.
The City's own webpage about the snow removal ordinance: (<http://www.somervillema.gov/snow/shoveling-regulations-and-info>) states at the bottom:" ** See shoveling information for additional information, helpful tips, and to volunteer for, or sign up for, our shoveling assistance program, which helps seniors and persons with disabilities." BUT there is no such information on that webpage or a link to that information.
Today I heard of an uber-type snowplowing service (<http://plowzandmowz.com/>) that recently started up in Boston and has gotten some publicity from their work during the recent snowstorm. But they are for plowing only. Does the BOA know of something like that for snow shoveling?
If the BOA wants to mandate a strict ordinance about snow shoveling, it would be best to also provide some info/means for citizens to seek help with the shoveling.
Thanks,
Karen Molloy