In the wake of a terrible winter and the mixed results from the city’s Mandatory Snow Shoveling ordinance, the City Council (nee Board of Aldermen) is looking to “double down” when it comes to sidewalks.
A special public hearing will be held this Thurs, April 2 at 7:30 PM in the Counciloric Chambers to gauge public sentiment towards enacting a Mandatory Sidewalk Maintenance ordinance. The ordinance would require that homeowners assume responsibility for maintaining the pavement and curbs in front of there homes, or face stiff penalties.
The Board has asked the Dept of Public Works to present estimates of how much money the city could save annually if homeowners were to do the repair and replacement of sidewalks and curbs themselves. The savings are expected to be in the millions a year.
At least initially, the proposal is for a two year trial ordinance. Residents under “financial duress” may also apply for an exemption from the rules. In the interest of equity, an amendment will also be debated that would extend an equal obligation to those home owners without sidewalks – “they’d just have to spruce up their unpaved patch, maybe plant a few flowers or something” said one Councilor, speaking off the record.
Well at least I will be able to pick my own brand of concrete. This is a super idea. How about asking residents to take over the half of the street in front two? Could we add tolls for car, bike and pedestrian access?
@Groot – There are contributors to this blog who have considered doing that on Quinobequin for some time as a speed calming measure….
“Maybe plant a few flowers or something?” That’s just discrimination pure and simple. I want flowers and green space as much as the next person, but I think all of Newton needs paved sidewalks, at least in my part of town. The grass with its weeds and those flowers with their pistils and stamens, not to mention bringing in those unwelcome, pollinating bees from outside, will be a bad influence on the neighborhood and bring down property values. Keep those out of my backyard.
This is very timely. DPW was about to use taxpayer money ‘approved in the override’ to pave my perfectly walkable, hard-pack gravel sidewalk, which I already shovel. This would have required cutting major roots of three otherwise healthy established street trees, leading to their early demise. Now I can preserve the trees!
Oh yes, Chris: we are at a perfect junction along Quinobequin Road and the phantom toll booth is nearly completed. We are trying to determine whether to charge $100 per car to travel from Rt 9 to Rt 16, but we don’t want to discourage traffic so much that they decide to canoe between the Falls, which only will cost $75, because we must pay $25 to DCR for every canoe paddler to get an on-the-spot fishing license. The receipts would be used to fund the Area Council and their political campaigns. Travel from Rt 16 to Rt 9 would be only $2, since traffic will be backed up for 6 months from this July due to the closing of the Eliot St/Central Avenue Bridge!