For Immediate Release: March 16, 2021
Press Contact:
Emily Brown
Office of Councilor Kenzie Bok
617-519-7519
BOSTON — Councilor Kenzie Bok will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, March 16, 2021 to discuss a supplemental snow removal program for Boston. During heavy snowstorms, Councilors, 311, and other city officials receive countless calls when sidewalks, crosswalks, walking paths, entryways, or intersections aren’t cleared sufficiently by a neighbor or property owner. While the City is responsible for clearing the roadway and property owners are responsible for clearing their sidewalks, the prioritization of City dollars for road access over pedestrian access in the wake of a snowstorm does not reflect the needs of the many Bostonians who do not own vehicles or routinely travel by car.
“When sidewalks go uncleared, there is a disproportionate impact on the disabled community, individuals with mobility challenges, elders, parents and guardians with children and strollers, and residents without a vehicle, even to the point of making it unrealistic and unsafe for certain people to leave their homes in the days after a heavy storm,” said Councilor Bok.
Other municipalities, including Syracuse, New York, provide the supplemental service of plowing sidewalks when there are heavy storms. A representative from Syracuse will be present at the hearing to discuss the successes of their sidewalk snow clearance program. Councilors, the Mayor’s administration, and advocates will discuss how Boston could implement a supplemental snow clearance service.
“A sidewalk snow removal service could also provide a local workforce development opportunity, in addition to helping our neighbors walk safely back to their homes, and to work, and the grocery store following a heavy storm,” added Councilor Bok.
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