introductions

[Barry Rafkind]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for joining this email group! How about if we all briefly introduce ourselves, share our stories, and talk about what we think needs to be done to address inadequate snow removal and its consequent problems.

I'm a co-chair of the Somerville Human Rights Commission and a renter in Ward 7 near the Tufts campus. I described my personal drama with icy sidewalks in my recent article on Somerville Voices in "Somerville Snow Removal".

In 2007, Somerville State Rep. Denise Provost jointly sponsored H. 1987, a bill relative to liability for the removal of snow and ice from property. Her efforts were discussed in the Somerville Journal here and then linked from there on Boston.com here. For more information, go to Rep. Provost's website (look near the bottom for Snow and Ice Removal H 1987). From the fact sheet linked there:

WHAT WILL THIS BILL DO?
This legislation, if passed, will apply to residents, landlords, and
tenants who live in communities that have local ordinances that
require them to shovel snow and ice in front of their property. In
these communities, this legislation will mean that residents,
landlords, and tenants can shovel without fear of being found
liable for accidental injuries (unless their behavior constitutes
gross negligence). The existence of this legislation will
encourage other communities to enact such ordinances.

I don't know what happened to this bill, but it seems like a sensible change to help remove a barrier to snow shoveling.

I'd like to see the city do a better job of educating residents and businesses on how to shovel properly. It would be great if there were awards handed out to people who consistently shovel/salt/sand their sidewalks properly and punctually. We also need more enforcement with tickets backed up with photographic evidence.

Thanks to eila for uploading some helpful information to this group's webpage.

Yours,

Barry Rafkind