The “Arbitrary Parking Ban” isn’t quite as arbitrary as before but it’s still not just a “Winter Parking Ban” because March is included. Yes, we can have snow here in March. But it’s never been a “Snow Emergency Overnight Parking Ban.” Whether it snows or is beautiful weather, this Ban is in place!
Evidently the City’s elected officials do not see the paradox that occurs when increasing housing density without including sufficient parking in already dense areas and arbitrarily banning overnight parking for 4 months come snow or shine.
Or the same paradox that occurs when, in the same dense areas with the same narrow streets, increasing housing density without enough parking and building a school without sufficient parking on site.
From the Mayor’s Newsletter – September 4, 2019
Winter Parking Ban Shortened
The Overnight Parking Ban will be four weeks shorter this winter. Overnight on-street parking in Newton is now prohibited from Dec. 1 through March 31. (The previous parking ban was from Nov. 15 to April 15.) Thank you City Council for the vote last night.
Need overnight parking this winter? Free municipal parking lot permits are available through the Newton Police Department, Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Permits are for Newton residents only. They are given out on a first-come first-served basis and are good for parking only during the Winter Parking Ban. Bring a valid driver’s license and vehicle registration.
Shortening the ban is progress, but not the ultimate goal in my view- that would be eliminating the ban except for snow emergencies.
I am curious about the free municipal lot permits- is that new? I don’t recall seeing that before, but I may be wrong, but I like it (especially as street parkers already pay for a permit in many cases). Also, a question for the city: will the lots be open during snow emergencies so people without an off-street parking option have a safe place for their car? While I understand that lots need clearing too, this would go a long way toward solving the real problem some folks have.
So, bravo for this tiny step in the right direction; I have hopes for more movement.
Ok, it’s a start.
(Partially) un-banning something. This must be a first for our Aldermen. Conservation of inconvenience would suggest that a new ban on some activity will be coming shortly.
Another piece of big news – the fines for unplowed sidewalks. This is a huge deal for those of us who walk to work or transit especially in the thickly settled north side neighborhoods. Can’t tell you how many times I slipped or had to walk in the road. It’s about time.
@Yuppie Scum – it doesn’t address those of us who shovel our sidewalks and live on a corner (near a T stop), when the snow plow drivers create GIANT mountains of snow and ice chunks on our corner. Then my sidewalk leads to nowhere. My shoveled piece of paradise is covered and I will receive a fine.
@Newton mom—the DPW will be enforcing, which should open their eyes more fully to the consequences of their plowing practices. If a sidewalk is dumped on, by public or private contractors, the consequences don’t fall on the hapless homeowner (unless it was you or your contractor who did the dumping). This has been the rule for the last decade of the law being in place, along with a stiff fine for those who dump.
On my street there is a hill. The people living on the slope
sometimes shovel. When they do ice forms on the slope from run off. Then the walkway is more treacherous.
Several home owners on another part of the street do not have cement on their side walkway. They have grass. They believe they do not need to clear a path. The plows place feet of snow on the sides. No one can traverse without walking on the road.
These homeowners should not be exempt from shoveling.
As for fines, these are punitive and achieve stress for those who can not pull start big snow blowers. Many snow removal companies do NOT clear sidewalks. Our city council ought to realize these fines are a burden for homeowners.
The city itself should provide this service for people who need access routes to public transit.
Colleen – how do you suggest the city pay for the service of clearing sidewalks?
Colleen, throwing a little rock salt down will help overcome the ice formation.
@Andreae: some of us remember when our taxes paid for the city to plow them. Why did that change?!
Pat – I have no idea – it must have been way before my time. I know the city still plows some sidewalks, mainly school walking routes.
In the early 1990s, Massachusetts voters passed Prop. 2 1/2, which severely constrained the city’s budget and future ability to raise taxes. Most cities and towns cut services, including teachers and things like building and road maintenance budgets. One of Newton’s early cuts was to sidewalk clearance.
Andrea, we live on a school walking route with a crossing guard at the end of my block and the city stopped plowing our sidewalks a several years ago. No idea why they stopped.