playitasitlays.livejournal.comI'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.