Simple economics suggest that we should have no problem clearing Newton’s sidewalks. There’s no doubt there’s plenty of demand, and many have hypothesized that there’s no shortage of supply of reasonably-priced labor out there, especially on snow days when kids are home from school. Yet the shoveler list on the city web site, if you could even find it, has failed to match customers with the workers. Last year there was a single shoveler in all of Newton Highlands, and now city hall is giving up. Perhaps the medium was the problem. Paper registrations had to be mailed or faxed in to the city, and the help was contacted by telephone. My kids don’t even use the telephone anymore, who has time for US mail? Could technology be used to do more to than post a PDF containing a list of names once a year? Would the right opportunity “going viral” on social networks encourage kids to get out there and make a few bucks while helping their community?
http://youtu.be/Tg7pLpnVXWA
Newton resident Brian Hodgson says his kids made good money working through snow storms and his phone starts ringing the night before a storm, to the point where he had to start recruiting other kids. The tagline of his new site, Solocho, is to connect local neighborhoods and communities to get stuff done. Could this be exactly what Newton needs? Visit the website or follow @ChoreEconomy on Twitter or Facebook.
Impressive concept and website. This looks like it could be helpful for specific tasks, but I’m not as certain it would do for something that involves a seasonal commitment like shoveling a drive or walkway after each storm. School age kids are obviously committed to a lot of school and after schools activities and it would be a challenge to drop these in order to shovel someone’s driveway so they could get to work on time.
Adam: I think Bob captured the discomfort that led to no one commenting for at least 4 days. The need for responsible and professional commitment with concomitant wages charged and the need for capital investment in equipment that could lead to economies of scale really dictate that homeowners pay for companies that provide the needed service or pay a tax to the City to do the same. The walks are as much public property as the streets. I personally believe that the City should clear them. Until then, I will pay the plowing service.
Bob expressed my thoughts perfectly. I think this app can be useful for many things (looking for someone to help out someone who usually does their own shoveling but needs help, finding a kid to walk your dog for a few days, etc.) but not for something that needs a serious commitment.
Yes I think it depends on both your personal circumstances and your property. For me this is a great solution. I’ve been using the kids-shovel-my-snow solution since I moved here five years ago. Yes, occasionally the kids can be unreliable, although as my neighbor will tell you, the pros can be as well.
If I do have a hiccup with kids doing it, it just means that I have to get off my lazy butt and shovel it myself, which is a perfectly practical (though not my ideal) solution. Also, our house is particularly suited to the kid solution – no sidewalk, no driveway – so it’s mostly digging out and clearing off the cars and shoveling a path to the back door. For others with a long driveway, hand shoveling may not be a practical solution.
All things being equal, I much prefer handing my cash to an industrious teenager if they’ll get the job done. So far that’s worked out pretty well for us.
@Jerry – it sounds like you’re perfectly suited for that kind of solution. Those of us who are physically unable to shovel, need something more reliable. I agree that the pros aren’t perfect, but they’re less likely to go out of town for a week at a time during snow season. And that app would certainly be helpful for when the pro does fail to show up. 🙂
I don’t think this site is meant to provide long-term commitment, just ad hoc arrangements, but if the numbers worked out, why shouldn’t there always be someone available when people need the most help for the heaviest snowfall? I’m not talking $5 to the kid next door. Take what a professional gets and cut it in half. That ought to get someone motivated. Also, a lot of people have trouble finding a ‘pro’ do to the work if they have a short driveway or may just need help when the snowfall is heaviest. I hear a lot of pros aren’t even interested in getting out of their plows to clear sidewalks.
Note also that there’s an inverse relationship between snowfall and student activities.
Thanks to reporting by Boston Globe Correspondent Nina Joy Godlewski on Nov. 28, broadcast further by Steve Feinstein and the Highlands Google-Group, we have a contemporary, professional alternative that might actually be reliable: Try http://plowzandmowz.com. Not teenagers off for a snow day, but plowers, large and small, who are entrepreneurial in spirit and capitalists at heart. Breathe deeply, capitalism is NOT a dirty word when done right! (In Yiddish, we call this making a shiddach – a marriage). Applause for the app. (especially if it works!).
“Could technology be used to do more to than post a PDF containing a list of names once a year?”
Absolutely. Paper? Mail? Fax? hahahahahahahaha
We would have hired kids to shovel today. We even mentioned it.
Through the years I’ve used Craigslist to hire local youth very successfully for very immediate and specific needs – Moving my office, entering bank statements into quick-books, writing code … I remember one Sunday night at 11 PM posting and hiring someone to do web edits overnight so I could get some sleep.
I also have hired non locals via Craigslist – A developer in Sicily, who lives 20 miles from where my Dad was born – Who
West Newton has a Google Group that I have participated in – Neighbors ask/receive help and referrals for all sorts of things.
If there is a network of local kids looking for small jobs – shoveling, dog walking, yard-work, bookkeeping, etc etc … I’d think there is certainly enough that local residents need to get done.
A simple website with a well thought through matching process would do it. A local, less creepy Craigslist. Sounds like a fun project … Maybe even a small business.
So, yea I can see tech making this work – but don’t underestimate the amount of time and work to make it successful.
Mike Ciolino
West Newton
Just circling back on this. We had a pretty successful winter with many snow shoveling chores posted and kids applying. We still need to expand the network of students to ensure the chores get enough applicants. Last month we had many NSHS students sign up with was a huge help. Since my kids are at north we probably have better coverage in the northern part of Newton.
Any help suggestions welcome. Thanks
Talking about industrious kids…two HS students, Patrick and Carter, were posting signs: “You name it, We do it” and gave me their card with an email: [email protected]
They looked clean and polite and told me they had references but i did not follow up yet.