Snow Mountain Curbcuts in Newton: Neglect of City of Newton sidewalks

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 25, 2010

Neglect of City of Newton sidewalks

The sun is beginning to peak beyond the clouds, as we have enjoyed the fresh rain clearing our sidewalks and streets.
Snow has melted, and so has uncovered some disturbing sites. Simply, the sidewalks constructed by Mass Highway Dept funding and overseen by the City of Newton Traffic and Engineering Department are simply unacceptable! It is impossible for a wheelchair user or anyone blind with a service dog to get down these sidwalks on Hammond Street and Wachusett Road to name a few.