Snow Mountain Curbcuts in Newton: Newton Moves Mountains!

Residential Sidewalk Snow Shoveling Ordinance Passed!

Newton passed a residential sidewalk snow clearing ordinance! It is a two year trial. Home-owners/residents are requested to clear their abutting public sidewalks and curbcuts free of snow during the winter. Businesses are allowed 24 hours after the snow ends, residents are allowed 30 hours to clear. Lets all continue to work with Newton departments to stop the practice of dumping snow mountains on the curbcuts and crosswalks. Everyone, lets work together so Newton has safe and accessible sidewalks all year long.

New Construction is Unacceptable!

It has rained for over 24 hours. Above photos were taken on February 24th. They show the snow mountains from city plows still blocking the public sidewalk on Wachusett Rd and Hammond Street at intersection of Commonwealth Avenue.This snow has been sitting here since the December storm. The most disturbing elements in these photos are construction flaws of these sidewalks paid for by our public funds from Mass Highway Dept and overseen by the City of Newton Traffic and Engineering Department. Notice the sidewalks end into utility poles and stop midblock on people's lawn. A wheelchair user is unable to use any of these sidewalks, and would have no other choice but to be wheeling along with the trucks and cars in the street. Newton, this is unacceptable!

Friday, February 5, 2010

Newton Moves Mountains!

by Maryan: 2/5/10 Today was a beautiful sunny winter day. I was speaking with a friend who told me he just drove by Cabot School and did not see any "snow mountains." I insisted a mountain was there, indeed, I just took photos. He insisted he saw a clear sidewalk. I took a look and sure enough, our beautiful 6 foot snow mountain blocking the crosswalk and curbcuts at Parkview Ave and Cabot Street disappeared! Now we have an accessible sidewalk for all to enjoy! Guess I won the bet with the neighbor. We didn't have to wait until mid June! The picture was put up online Thursday and snow mountain removed this morning. Impressive! Thanks so much to DPW Commissioner Tom Daley, Parks and Rec Dept, Mayor Setti Warren, and any other department responsible. Looks great!! Thanks also to the Newton TAB blog.