Free Ice Skating Lessons Courtesy of Irresponsible Somerville Home Owners

[playitasitlays.livejournal.com]

I've never posted here before and I'm not much of a complainer, but I really think Somerville property owners should be held more accountable for keeping their sidewalks ice and hazard free. I live in Spring hill and walk down summer street to the porter square t every day and the sidewalks this morning were once again absolutely impassable. With the exception of one or two buildings whose owners had diligently shoveled, salted, and sanded, every walkway was a solid sheet of ice.

The melt and freeze cycle that we are currently experiencing should come as no suprise to any home or busines owner, and the failure of most to prepare and deal with this issue is thoughtless and infuriating. If I, a quite fit young man fortunate enough to own quality winter boots, am forced to walk down the road because the sidewalks are too slippery, I cannot imagine how difficult this task must be for anyone who is elderly or infirm.

Grandma shouln't have to worry whether she can get to the QF MArt to buy cat food without breaking a hip.

I don't know whether there are laws that can be enforced and/or fines exacted, but it would be nice to see some of the Somerville meter maids, whose impressively zealous campaign against parking infractions are legendary, were temporarily assigned to the task of insuring that walking remain an option in Somerville troughout the wintery months. At the very least it could generate some much-needed revenue for the town in these troubled times, since as of now, I would say only 1/16th of the sidewalks in Somerville are anywhere near safe.

Comments

[m00n.livejournal.com]

I think this is really the only thing that would make a difference. The problem is that when you want clear sidewalks the MOST is at like 8 am when you're on your way to work and most people have not yet had a chance to salt their sidewalks, or at 5 pm when you are on your way home and people haven't been home from work long enough to do it.

And in cases where it is pouring rain right up until the point where it is freezing, someone has to be out in force at 5 am ready to salt the pavement the instant the water stops flowing. Expecting property owners to take care of it when it has to be done every two hours on some days is just not practical (especially when the supermarket sells out of salt mid-storm!!!)