EDITORIAL

When snow removal becomes a priority

Posted 1/14/16

Snow. We haven’t seen much of it so far this winter. That’s a blessing in many ways, although there are some of us who would like to have a few inches of snow just because winter wouldn’t be …

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EDITORIAL

When snow removal becomes a priority

Posted

Snow. We haven’t seen much of it so far this winter. That’s a blessing in many ways, although there are some of us who would like to have a few inches of snow just because winter wouldn’t be the same without it.

It’s when it snows and snows and there’s no place to put it all that you start wishing it would melt. That was the kind of winter we had last year. Even when the sun came out, the snow stayed. Roads became alleys defined by crusted mountains of snow. Sidewalks disappeared, and people were forced to walk in the street.

Safety was a concern, especially for kids walking to and from school or to neighborhood bus stops. The police turned to the city ordinances and after leafleting areas of particular concern started issuing citations. It didn’t last long. Some people felt they were being selectively targeted. Others argued they weren’t physically capable of shoveling the walks in front of their homes and didn’t have the resources to pay someone to do it.

Councilman Ed Ladouceur was one who thought there had to be a better way. He called on the City Council to create a commission that brought together schools, police, public works and all departments dealing with the issue. He even included human services, recognizing there needed to be a mechanism to address hardship cases.

The outcome is a series of regulation revisions that extend the deadline from 24 to 72 hours after a storm for a property owner to shovel their walk; exempt businesses from shoveling a walk when a cleared parking lot suffices; provides for a warning before issuance of a fine; and addresses those with hardships.

Furthermore, the revisions approved by the council and signed by the mayor call on the director of public works to establish priority walks that are in close proximity to schools and where authorities will focus enforcement.

It’s a better plan than what we had, although until it’s put to the test we won’t know its flaws or how it could be improved. In fact, that is part of Ladouceur’s plan – let’s closely monitor this and see where we need to make improvements, he says.

Of course, this all depends on whether we get a lot of snow.

We’re not wishing for that. But for the moment, the shortcoming we see is that property owners don’t know if they are on a priority walk. There’s a good reason, too. The walks have yet to be identified. The sooner that happens the better.

In the meanwhile, we applaud efforts to improve on a cumbersome law and wish for some snow, but nothing like last winter.

Comments

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  • davebarry109

    Ultimately unenforceable and probably unconstitutional. The city should shovel these 'priority' sidewalks. I almost wish I was on one of these 'priority' routes so I could challenge this stupid ordinance.

    Tuesday, January 19, 2016 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    All laws are unconstitutional and unenforceable. Get rid of all the cops, fireman, teachers, etc and let the taxpayers free. If you want any of these services, be prepared to pay.

    Monday, January 25, 2016 Report this