Article 34 petitioner is exploring volunteer program with Scouts and will offer a waiver amendment on Monday
Dear Tewksbury Voters,
My name is Kyle Parker and I am the petitioner for Article 34 at Annual Town Meeting on Monday, May 6. I would like to provide additional information on the article and to respond to some common questions/concerns that have been raised by residents.
The purpose of this article is to ensure timely removal of snow and ice from sidewalks by abutting property owners. Clearing sidewalks is a necessity for the town to improve public health by promoting walkability, to improve sustainability, and to reduce traffic congestion, but currently there is no requirement to clear them. More importantly, our students need safe ways to walk to school. Residents who can’t drive, can’t afford to drive or choose not to drive need clear sidewalks to get to the grocery store, the pharmacy, their jobs and many other destinations around town.
Right now, we rely on the DPW to clear sidewalks, and they do a good job, but their focus is on the areas around schools and business districts. They don’t have the resources to clear every sidewalk in town. This bylaw would bridge the gap between the neighborhoods where most residents live and the destinations they need to get to. Residents would be able to safely travel from their homes out to those main sidewalks that the DPW already clears.
The intent of the bylaw is not to be punitive but to promote a gradual cultural shift as the town adds more sidewalks. It’s also about educating people on the benefits of clear sidewalks and improving community cohesion.
What about seniors or disabled residents? How will they afford it?
There are a few different ways to address this. These residents likely have their driveways and private walkways cleared already to make sure that emergency services, caretakers or package deliveries can reach them if needed. They may be able to add sidewalk clearing to this existing service. We also encourage residents to help their neighbors who may have trouble shoveling on their own.
We are in the early stages of exploring a shoveling program, where residents in need are matched up with a shoveler for the winter. This program could be volunteer or paid, with the preference being volunteer. We have started reaching out to Scouts troops and other local groups to determine feasibility and interest in such a program. You can read about similar shoveling programs in Newburyport and Cambridge.
I will also be proposing an amendment on Town Meeting floor that will establish a waiver system for residents in need. The amendment will read as follows:
“The Select Board may promulgate regulations to implement this bylaw. Waivers shall be available for disabled, seniors and others with special needs or circumstances as promulgated by the Select Board.“
Why can’t the DPW clear them all?
The town currently has 53 miles of sidewalk, of which 41 miles are public. The DPW clears about 23 miles of public sidewalk. This means about 18 miles, or 44 percent of our public sidewalks, are left uncleared in the winter. The town would have to purchase additional equipment and hire additional personnel if they were to clear all of the sidewalks. This could result in an increase in taxes for residents or could require cuts to other town services. As the town continues to add sidewalks to more of our roads, the cost to clear them will only increase.
How will this be enforced?
We hope that simply having the bylaw in place will incentivize people to clear their sidewalks. Enforcement would be done by TPD or the DPW, though it is unlikely that an officer or town employee would be driving around looking for violations. A reporting mechanism would need to be established for residents to report violations that would then be followed up on by the appropriate department.
Please join me on May 6 to support safer streets for all and vote YES on Article 34.
Kyle Parker
Note: The Carnation is happy to run letters in regard to articles. As with the town election, we will publish residents’ final thoughts two days ahead of each Town Meeting. Please get letters for Monday, May 6 warrant articles to us by May 1, while letters in regard to May 8 articles must be in by May 3. If you wish to cite statistics, legal opinions, etc. please include links to your sources so residents can follow up if they choose.
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