http://pjmorgan.livejournal.com/ ([identity profile] pjmorgan.livejournal.com) wrote in [community profile] davis_square2010-01-21 10:09 pm

New snow shovelling policy

I'm going to pick a fight in a passive aggressive way, if that is possible.

So Somerville fines if you shovel snow into the street??!!!
http://www.wickedlocal.com/somerville/news/x1689216222/Fines-set-for-Somervilles-non-shovelers

This is bogus on so many ways.

First of all, during the last storm, right after I shoveled my sidewalk and "shoveled" snow onto my sidewalk. Not just into my driveway (which I've come to expect). Can I fine the city for that?

So is this defined as into the middle of the street, or along the edges? Sometimes you have to shovel just a little bit into the first couple feet of the street. If someone shovels out their car, will that trigger it?

In general, I find it annoying that my real estate taxes go to clearing the roads (which I don't even use since I'm doing my part by not driving) so I guess I have a chip on my shoulder.

And hopefully I just don't understand the regulation. What is the definition of shoveling into the street that they are going off of?

[identity profile] turil.livejournal.com 2010-01-22 02:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Um, yeah, I was agreeing with your statement and adding information. The point being that they have the things, but don't like to use them, which is why they try to avoid taking responsibility for the rest of the public sidewalks which are, logically also responsible for (being that most sidewalks are government owned land these days).

[identity profile] pierceheart.livejournal.com 2010-01-22 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
which is why they try to avoid taking responsibility for the rest of the public sidewalks which are, logically also responsible for (being that most sidewalks are government owned land these days).

Logically, yes, legally, no - legally it is the responsibility of the property owners and residents to do their part to make this a safer city for pedestrians.