I was away until yesterday so I missed Friday’s snow storm – the first significant snow of the year. By the time we returned yesterday afternoon the snow was no problem for us thanks to the warmer weather and our wonderful neighbors who shoveled our path and cleared my car in our absence,
How was the city’s response to this snow storm? How did you personally make out?
I’ve been incredibly impressed by how much improvement there has been in sidewalk snow clearing in my neighborhood. Other than a couple of curb cuts on Sumner (which my able-bodied child will be clearing shortly!) everything was cleared.
I have to admit the city did a decent job on my non-main street. The city and its contractors kept the road plowed down to pavement. It helps of course that the storm began overnight, many were working remotely, and kids had a snow day. Still, give credit where credit is due.
Great job in Auburndale’s Business District sidewalks and streets. Curb cuts in my neighborhood also free of snow. Melting all day has lessened snow, of course. An added benefit considering the freezing rain moving in overnight, into Monday morning. We’re always preparing for the next snowfall. So, that is essential for folks, City crews and contractors to clear snow from various public venues and widen sidewalks during sunny days like Saturday and days that raise temps to 40s.
Great job in Auburndale’s Business District sidewalks and streets. Curb cuts in my neighborhood also free of snow. Melting all day has lessened snow, of course. An added benefit considering the freezing rain moving in overnight, into Monday morning. We’re always preparing for the next snowfall. So, that is essential for folks, City crews and contractors to clear snow from various public venues and widen sidewalks on sunny days like Saturday and days that raise temps to 40s. Bitter cold will freeze snow as solid as concrete, then you’ve lost that golden opportunity to remove snow until warmth returns.
Thanks Jerry for the thread. Welcome back to Newton.
The new contractor from Revere plowed my street more efficiently and pushed less snow into home owners driveways. He pushed more snow to the middle of the street and removed that snow before pushing the remainder into the driveways. I had far less snow to push myself. I hope in future the local landscapers use this better method.
The city did very well, especially considering reports of a widespread shortage of plow operators.
As I noted elsewhere, all was well except for some entitled neighbors who refuse to clear the snow from sidewalks in front of their well-appointed homes. I know, you might as well rail against the tides.
We were very grateful that the city plow came down our one-way street with the blade turned toward the park on the other side, rather than plow in all the driveways, as in the past.
Bob – report them to the City on 311, it works. The 3 big multimillion-dollar homes in my neighborhood that never cleared their sidewalks last year, are all cleared this year.
To be honest, I think these homeowners never even noticed they have sidewalks. Lots of people with second homes and/or commuters with garages they step into and drive away from in the morning.
A few years ago Parks and Rec started clearing the sidewalks and path through Newton Centre playground to the Mason Rice school. This was/is a huge win for safety & traffic mitigation. Walking around the park usually meant little kids walking in the streets where homeowner sidewalks weren’t cleared so many people chose to drive to school. The cleared paths get a lot of use, even on super cold days. Thanks P&R!