Snow Mountain Curbcuts in Newton: Humor hidden under the curbcut snow 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!

Thursday, February 4, 2010

Humor hidden under the curbcut snow mountains

by Maryan 2/4/10: Yesterday morning, I woke to find a light pure snow gracing Newton's landscape. I always love the snow, and to see it so fresh always brings me a sense of childish joy. Well, maybe not totally, as there are of course, curbcuts to look at. So I decided to take a look at Cabot School on Parkview Ave and Cabot Street. There sat a most spectacular view created by the artists of the DPW, a snow mountain on the sidewalk curbcut of tremendous proportions. I guessed it to be 2 meters high (6.56 feet) and possibly 2-3 meters wide (9.84 feet). It leaned against the baseball field, also blocking part of the accessible entrance to the crosswalk and playground. Proudly displayed on the pole were the words " Do NOT ENTER." How appropriate.

I took out my camera and wheelchair. I set up for a good photo op, but realized quite quickly my skill at both standing, and putting a wheelchair ontop of a mountain of this proportion may be a bit challenging. My help was across the street. A man walking his dog approached me. I asked if he could help put my wheelchair on the mountain. He looked perplexed. I let him know I had this blog, and wished to show the snow mountains block people from using the curbcuts. He pointed to the snow filled curb, and said they can climb up here. I let him know a wheelchair user cannot scale the curb. Proudly he retorts" Oh no, they don't come out in weather like this!" I stated that indeed, they, and I do, as we need to work, eat, and live.. in Newton. And besides, sidewalks and access are supposed to be for everyone.

He tied up his dog, and proceeded to place my wheelchair ontop of the snow mountain. I took photos. I was very pleased he helped. Then I told him I hope the City of Newton will see these pictures and clear the snow mountain. He quickly retorted, "No No No! This snow will be here till June. They won't move it. I have lived here for 20 years and I see this all the time. They don't have the funds. It will be here till mid June. You wait and see." I then told him I hope not, and plus, students at Cabot School with mobility issues need to access this. He then told me, "No, they don't put them out in the winter." (sigh). My message was not getting through.

He proceeded to help me put my wheelchair in my car. I lost my balance. He looked at me in shock " Hey, you okay?"
"Yup, I responded. I do this all the time. Thanks for your help. I am now headed home for the rest of the winter."

It seems some people in Newton believe persons with disabilities are just kept in closets for the winter and only let out (or put out) in nice weather? Seems we need some education. So will this snow mountain stay here till June? What is your bet?