I've been trying to get a residential snow shoveling ordinance passed since January of 2003. Here's the text of my letter to the editor published last week in the Watertown Tab.
My wife and I moved to Watertown because we could walk to just about everything (including the East Branch Library, but that's another issue). For five years that has not been the case for much of the year because of neighbors who refuse to shovel their walks.
When the residential snow shoveling ordinance was proposed over a year ago, councilors Marilyn Petitto Devaney and Frederick Pugliese on the ordinance subcommittee refused to even consider it. Devaney said she wouldn't pass ordinances that couldn't be enforced and Pugliese thought it would infringe on residents' right not to shovel. Fortunately the Town Council president referred it back to the subcommittee with the instructions that the committee members should consider how neighboring towns have handled this problem.
With the change in subcommittee membership the proposed ordinance has now made it to a vote. The most recent objections concern the piles that snowplows push onto corners. It seems only common sense that our police officers will use their discretion and not cite people for refusing to shovel through a huge embankment, but I suppose even common sense needs to be codified.
To respond to Ms. Vincuilla “Shoveling sidewalks should be town's responsibility” (June 4), I don't believe the town budget can handle a snow shoveling crew and would prefer not to see taxes increased to cover that. The ordinance does include exemptions for “elderly and handicapped persons who are unable to effect the removal of snow and ice due to their own physical condition and insufficient financial resources.” If she doesn't meet those criteria perhaps she can find a local student (I saw a sign for “Helping Hands 617-926-2725″ on the bulletin board at the Police Station).
This ordinance should encourage able-bodied residents (and country clubs in residential districts) who have no problem clearing their driveways and a path from their door to their car, to act with consideration for their neighbors or risk a penalty. It will make the town safer for everyone who walks. I sincerely hope it passes.
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