Snow Mountain Curbcuts in Newton: Thinking Spring! Volunteer Newton Serves!

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!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Thinking Spring! Volunteer Newton Serves!

by Maryan March 1, 2010

All of this rain has washed away most of the snow and many of the snow mountains around the city. This beautiful sunshine and warmer weather makes me think spring. It will soon be time for the spring clean up day organized by Beverly Droz. Newton Serves is coming up April 25, 2010. I believe everyone should consider putting in some volunteer time this spring or this year to help out. It is a great way to meet new neighbors and feel like you are making a difference in our community. I believe embracing our communities resources is enriching for all of us.

I also would like to thank the DPW, Parks and Recreation, CDBG committee, Alderman Carleton Merrill, and all who worked together to provide us with a great new accessible walkway down the middle of Chaffin Park. It was a lot of work, but now people from Evans Park, neighbors in Newton Corner and all visitors have a beautiful new walkway.

Last year we cleaned up the former Newton Corner Branch Library grounds, planted roses at the front of the park, and roses in our 911 Memorial Peace Garden in Chaffin Park. It was great fun for everyone! If you would like to volunteer again at any of the Newton Serve projects, you can contact Beverly Droz, Director, Human & Volunteer Services, Newton City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02459; bdroz@newtonma.gov, 617-796-1290, Fax 617-796-1293