For better or worse, the city seems to have taken to a complaint-driven system to monitor and solve problems not just for the resident snow clearing ordinance, which is still voluntary, but also for other snow clearing issues. City-owned property must be cleared. Violations in business districts as well as by contractors pushing snow onto sidewalks are enforceable and subject to fines. Through some combination of these efforts, sidewalks, curb cuts and intersections in our village centers should all be passable. Alderman Vicki Danberg has told me she was disappointed by the results in the season’s first storm and she expects the police to take a more proactive role enforcing city ordinances, but for now, it all seems to fall on citizen complains from Newton’s 311 system.
In the first storm of the season, a mere 93 reports were filed with the city. Does this low number really mean people were satisfied with the conditions, or are people unaware of or unwilling to use 311? In fairness, that first storm of the season in December was not the easiest to deal with, but sidewalk conditions in my village were not good. I filed a handful of those myself on problems I observed walking my kids to school and walking into Newton Centre. I’ve noticed that the 311 website (not run by the city) has horrible performance. (The code on the site is a mess and may hold some clues) Has anyone else had trouble filing tickets?
Did you use 311 in the last storm? If not, remember to try it this time if you spot any trouble.
The current forecast (snow, bitter cold, rain, bitter cold) suggests street and sidewalk conditions will be at least as challenging as the last storm.
Maybe Alderman Danberg should start with the way the City piles up the snow on the sidewalks and the street corners – even in areas where children walk to school.
So what is the fine to the City for not doing their Job?
Joanne, that’s exactly the point. Alderman Danberg made a point of mentioning this also. While the city made an effort to discipline contractors after the storm, the DPW supervisors or “chasers” should have noticed this right away. I seem to recall that city sub-contractors can be fined as well… $500? Can someone confirm?
Joanne – That is EXACTLY the point. The City, to my knowledge, has not fined anyone under the laws it has had for years against snow plows dumping snow on the sidewalk.
The City should be leading by example and clearing sidewalks around City property – but as anyone who walked to Learning Express from Newton Centre after the last snow storm knows, the City is often the worst violator of the laws in place to clear sidewalks in business areas.
It is not only a transportation issue – but a public health issue “Lack of Exercise is as Deadly as Smoking” http://healthland.time.com/2012/07/18/lack-of-exercise-as-deadly-as-smoking-study-finds/
“One study showed that taking a 15-minute moderate-paced (3 mph) walk about 30 minutes after a meal helped control blood sugar in people who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Other research found that exercise may be as effective as medication in preventing early death in people who have had heart attacks or strokes.” http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/10/20/walking-health-speed-duration/2936233/
So I am confused – I am posting about CITY OF NEWTON Trucks that plow snow and plow it into the curbs and the corners. This has Nothing to do with Private Contractors. If the Alderman wants to fine homeowners than they should make sure that the City is doing their job first. And based on what they did near my child’s middle school at the last storm they are not planning on cleaning any better this time.
So before we start handing out tickets lets look at City Hall first. The way I read it Alderman Danberg wants these tickets given to HOMEOWNERS not the City.
Maybe everyone should call Alderman Danberg with complaints about how the city is doing than maybe she will be less aggressive with having police fine taxpaying citizens.
There are no fines for homeowners, Ald. Danberg is talking about the City and private contractors.
I thought if you did not shovel your sidewalk there was a fine. Is that not correct?
There are fines for dumping snow on sidewalks that have been on Newton’s law books for years and fines for businesses not clearing their walkways, but there are no fines for homeowners not clearing their walkways.
Blocking sidewalks by people putting stuff on them – trash, rocks, toys, … or snow is illegal in Newton and most places.
Joanne, much of the city street plowing is done by contractors hired by the city. Often they are the ones plowing in the corners, even though the city has instructed them to do otherwise. It’s up to the city to fix this problem.