More on snow removal

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

We're all probably sick of shovelling already, but if you haven't yet taken a few minutes to dig out any fire hydrants and storm drains near your place of residence or business, please consider doing so. Thanks.

Edit: ron_newman also points out that clearing a pedestrian path at the crosswalk if you live on a corner is just darn nice.

Comments

[ron_newman]

Also, please dig a path through from the sidewalk to the street corner, so pedestrians don't have to climb small hills (left by street snowplows) at each intersection.

[jspazzer.livejournal.com]

So now we are also responsible for shoveling the city streets? I think I would draw the line there. If I work for 2 hours shoveling the sidewalk down to the concrete from curb to fence, then the plow deposits an entire street's worth of slushy mess at the corner but IN THE STREET , why is that my responsibility?

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

umm, no one's saying it's your responsibility. We're saying it would be a nice thing to do, out of neighborly consideration for your fellow human beings. You've heard of this concept, yes?

[rufinia.livejournal.com]

It's not your responsibility, it's just a nice thing to do.

[ron_newman]

I concur with the previous two replies, and also want to point out that I'm talking about making sure there is a path from the sidewalk to the street corner. If residents don't do this, who will?

FYI

[x-bluerose-x.livejournal.com]

I have NO idea on the laws on MA as I've only been here past six years or so, but in NYS you HAVE to shovel the sidewalk in front of your house or you get fined.

So in some places, it's not just nice...it's the law.

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

I live at a dead end (basically a parking lot) that's perpendicular to the bike trail. I shoveled through from the plowed parking lot to the already-tramped-down path to the bike trail, because otherwise, there would have been a big-ass hill of snow to climb over. I figure that even if no one else appreciated it, it made life easier for ME this morning.

[ron_newman]

Thank you for doing that! Many people will silently appreciate it.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

Let's put this this way: In case you're not aware of this, the city does not clear curb cuts. If you have the time and energy to clear a path from the sidewalk to the street, you will be doing your fellow residents a great favor.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

I enjoy your Wallace Stevens reference. :)

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

Good tip. I was just thinking about that this morning as I contemplated all this snow melting, not being able to drain, and then turning to ice just in time for tomorrow's storm. Yikes.

I'm home sick today, but if I feel a bit better later, I may go out and do some more "samaritan shoveling." Already shoveled out a couple of neighbors last night.

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

I figured that with the muck, I wasn't going to be commuting on the bicycle, so I got my exercise that way, today. Hope you feel better soon!

[ukelele.livejournal.com]

I saw a bike commuter today. I was totally envious :). Used to do that myself...

But I only saw the one.

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

Don't pretty much all high schools/jr high schools have manditory volunteering (yeah, oxymoron, ah well) programs these days? Every time I'm out dealing with a snowy commute I wonder if some of that energy could be devoted to improving pedestrian access, especially along major thoroughfares, bus stops, and routes where younger kids walk to school. Any thoughts on how?

[nuns.livejournal.com]

This is a good idea. I didn't even know they had volunteer programs.

[oakenguy.livejournal.com]

They call it "community service" in some schools, which has been known to confuse people. (Me, anyhow.)

[starry83.livejournal.com]

Aside from all the "shoulda woulda coulda" of shoveling, does anyone know where in the square I can buy a shovel? (My building is not on a corner and its sidewalk and related phenomena are already shoveled, I just want to extract my car...)

[jspazzer.livejournal.com]

Of all the selfishness, extracting your car when there are corners to be shoveled. Shame on you. (Tongue in cheek, by the way.)

[srakkt.livejournal.com]

Tags in the Porter Square mall should have a few, or Shaw's. Dollar Days or whatever had a few when I was in there last week.

Were I home, I'd offer to loan you mine.

[starry83.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I refuse to get one of those 48 hour tickets... I'll try and clear some corners on my way!

Enjoy the prettiness out there, all.

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

The dollar store may still have a few--they seemed to have a good stock the other day.

[ron_newman]

I thought places like CVS and Rite-Aid sell these -- but they may be out.

[etana.livejournal.com]

How about maybe clearing the space at the bus stop on your part of the sidewalk? That would be nice. Just y'know - so no one has to stand in the street and die. I'm actually pleasantly surprised and grateful at how clear Highland Ave is - I think people are doing amazing work and it's not.fun.

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!

Park Ave snow blower

[wallacestreet.livejournal.com]

Huge props to the guy on the even side of Park Ave who ran his snow-blower up and down the whole 175 yards of the block.

Re: Park Ave snow blower

[elements.livejournal.com]

I don't even ever walk on that street but if I knew who that person was, I would totally go bring them cookies.